Lok Sabha Question No. 3236 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-06
Subject: Funds for SCP
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †3236 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2016

## FUNDS FOR SCP

## †3236. SHRI SADASHIV LOKHANDE:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken/ proposes to take any steps to formulate action chalking out Special Component Plan (SCP) for Union Ministries and State Government ensure the allocation of funds in proportion to the population of SCs an d check diversion of funds;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERM ENT (SHRI THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT )

- (a) &(b): Yes, Sir.  The erstwhile Planning Commission had issued revised guidelines 2014 and the same were reiterated by NITI Aayog in April, 2015 to States/UTs/Union Min and Departments for effective implementation of SCSP.  These remain in for ce.A summary of the salient feature of the revised guidelines is annexed. The States/Union Territories are advised from  time  to  time  to  adhere  to  the  guidelines  of  the  erstwhile  Planning  Commiss formulation, implementation and monitoring of the SCSP and for optimal utilization of f
- (c): Does not arise.

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## SUMMARY OF THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE REVISED GUIDELINES ISSUED BY NITI AAYOG REFERRED TO AT (a) & (b).

Nodal departments would ensure that the funds are earmarked in the following manner: -

-  SCSP fund should be made available only for supporting the Sub Plans appraised and approved by the Nodal Agency of the State Government.
-  The  funding  under  various  schemes  /  programmes  including  flagship  programmes should  be  provided  to  the  scheduled  caste  individuals  or  SC  households,  both physical and  fin ancial terms as well. Thus, the expenditure under SCSP should be meant only towards filling the development deficits as an additional financial s over and above the normal provisions which should be available to SCs like other various schemes.
-  No tional allocations are mere paper figures that do not have flows/schemes direc
-  benefitting SCs. Therefore, practice among the States showing notional allocat should be avoided.
-  The  synergy  of  inter - s ctoral programmes  and  convergence  with  other  schemes should be ensured for better utilisation of resources.
-  The  nodal  department  should  ensure  timely  release  of  funds  to  the  concern development departments who in turn should ensure immediate release of funds t o their  field  level  implementing  agencies.  Any  lapse  on  the  part  of  field implementing agencies in timely utilization of funds and proper implementation of schemes may be viewed seriously.
-  The  funds  under  SCSP  should  be  earmarked  under  a  single  b udget  demand - head under the control of the Nodal Department and the State should devise a mechani for direct/speedy transfer of funds.

The Nodal Agency, while indicating allocation of the Scheduled Castes Sub - Plan Fund to the Scheduled Castes Sub - Plan S chemes shall observe the following norms namely:

-  Schemes which are exclusively benefiting Scheduled Caste individuals or Schedul Caste households, 100% of Scheme cost shall be allocated and accounted for und Scheduled Castes Sub - Plan fund;
-  For Schemesbenefitting Scheduled Caste habitations, 100% of Scheme cost shall b allocated and accounted for under the Scheduled Castes Sub - Plan fund.
-  In  case  of  other  habitations  the  cost  shall  be  allocated  and  accounted  for Scheduled Castes Sub - Plan in propor tion of the population of the Scheduled Castes;
-  For  general  Schemes,  included  in  the  Sub - Plans,  benefitting  Scheduled  Castes individuals or Scheduled Caste households, alongwith others, the Scheme cost sh be allocated and accounted for under the Schedul ed Castes Sub - Plan, in proportion to the Scheduled Caste beneficiaries actually covered;
-  In respect of non - divisible infrastructure works a portion of the Scheme cost, as m be determined by the State government, will be deemed to have been attributed Scheduled Castes Sub - Plan.  This fraction cannot, however, exceed one - third  of  the percentage of SC population in the state.

Monitoring and Evaluation of SCSP -

## AN NEXURE

-  A Vigilance and Monitoring Committees to be constituted with a view to fulfilling objective of  ensuring  quality  of  expenditure,  particularly,  in  the  context  of public  funds  being  spent  under  the  programmes  relating  to  the  SCSP.  Thes Committees would keep a watch on the implementation of the Programmes as per the prescribed procedures and Guidelines.
-  The objective is to put in place a mechanism to monitor the execution of the Sche
-  involving  the  people's  elected  representatives,  other  members  of  civil  society  and non- governmental organizations, in the most effective manner and within the given time frame so that public funds are put to optimal use. These Committees are al effectively  liaise  and  coordinate  with  the  different  departments  of  the Governments.
-  The  Committee  will  monitor  the  selected  Schemes  of  the  SCSP  empowerment implemented in the State/District/Block and closely watch the flow of funds at va channels including the funds allocated, funds released by both Centre and the utilization and unspent balances under each Scheme.
-  The District/Block level committee s will review the progress of implementation of schemes and utilization of funds on monthly basis and the State level committees review the progress on quarterly basis.
-  The State/District and Block level committees should be constituted on the patte of committees constituted by the Ministry of Rural Development by involving elect members (MPs, MLAs and Panchayat members, and other prominent leaders in the districts)  for  monitoring  of  these  programmes.  Meetings  of  the  Vigilance Monitoring Committe e at each level are to be held after giving sufficient notice t Hon'ble MPs/MLAs and all other Members.
-  Evaluation to assess the impact of schemes implemented under SCSP, on the soci -economic conditions of SCs may be got conducted by the nodal depart ment on regular basis.  Dissemination  of  information  to  SCs  all  over  the  State/UT  about schemes/programmes available for their development may be the responsibility of nodal department.
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