Bengaluru, Sept. 15 -- Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has acknowledged that funds allocated under the SCSP-TSP framework for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have been utilised for programmes of other departments, opening a fresh political controversy over the use of money earmarked for Dalit welfare.

Addressing an International Democracy Day function at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said the Social Welfare Department's funds had been used for other departments and schemes.

The statement is significant as the Congress government has repeatedly faced allegations that funds reserved under the SCSP-TSP Act were being used to finance its guarantee programmes and other commitments.

The Opposition has for several months accused the governmen...