Lok Sabha Question No. 2397 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-06
Subject: Allocation of Funds
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Adv. Chandra Shekhar

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2397 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2024

## ALLOCATION OF FUNDS

## 2397 ADV. CHANDRA SHEKHAR:

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

- (a) the details of steps taken by the Government to ensure that the allocated funds for Schedule Caste communities are effectively utilized in schemes like Post-Matric Scholarships and skill development programs, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the steps taken by the ministry to provide a detailed account of the implementation and outcomes of the Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme in the current fiscal year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)

- (a): Under 'Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for SCs & Others' and 'Post-Matric Scholarships Scheme for SC Students', following steps are taken to ensure that the allocated funds for Scheduled Caste communities are effectively utilized:
- i. The schemes are run through the online platform of National Scholarship Portal with robust cyber security measures that ensures transparency, accountability, efficiency and timely delivery of the scholarship.
- ii. Central Share are being released only after States/ UTs have released its share to finally verified student beneficiaries; and
- ili. Central share is released directly into the Aadhaar-seeded bank account of the eligible students/applicants through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The DoSJ&E launched the Pradhan Mantri— Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) Yojana, a Central Sector Scheme, in the financial year 2020-21, for providing skill trainings to marginalized persons belonging to SCs, OBCs, EWSs, DNTs, Sanitation workers including waste having age from 18 to 45 years. The scheme is being implemented on Pan India basis. The main objective of PM-DAKSH Yojana is to enhance the skills of target groups and makes them employable either in wage-employment or selfemployment.

DoSJE has incurred an amount Rs. 58.26 Cr. in 2023-24 under PM-DAKSH Scheme for skilling of targeted youths.

- (b): The scheme of 'Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub- Plan (SCA to TSP)' was being implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs since 1977-78. After amalgamation of Plan and Non-Plan, the scheme was known as 'Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Scheme (SCA to TSS)' since 2017. Under SCA to TSS, funds were provided to the State Governments for various projects in sectors like education, health, agriculture, skill development, employmentcum-income generation, etc. To further and improve basic services and facilities in villages with significant tribal population, it has been decided to revamp SCA to TSS into 'Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY)' for integrated development of villages in an outcome-oriented and time- bound manner during the years 2021-22 to 2025-26.

Under PMAAGY Scheme, 36,428 villages having at least 50% tribal population and 500 STs across States / UTs with notified STs have been identified for undertaking development programmes / activities through convergence approach to bridge gaps prominently in 8 sectors of development viz. Road connectivity (Internal and Inter village /block), Telecom connectivity (Mobile /internet), School, Anganwadi Centres, Health SubCentre, Drinking water facility, Drainage and solid waste management. Under the scheme a sum of 220.38 lakh per village as 'Gap-filling' has been provisioned for approved activities including administrative expenses .

The scheme has allocation of Rs 7276 cr, which was to be utilized for development of 36,428 villages @ Rs 20.38 lakh per village. Village development plans (VDP) for 15,989 have been approved and amount of Rs. 2283 cr has been released to states.

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