Lok Sabha Question No. 4210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Under-utilisation of Funds for SCs
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Raja A

-

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4210 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.08.2025

## UNDER-UTILISATION OF FUNDS FOR SCS

4210. SHRI RAJA A:

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

- (a) the reasons for under-utilisation of funds allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Castes during the last five years, State and district-wise;
- (b) the amount allocated and utilised along with reasons for under-utilistaion of funds under SC sub-plan development action plan during the last five years, State and district-wise; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the total amount of funds allocated for the welfare of SCs are utilised including monitoring at the district level to national level during such period, State and district-wise?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (b): The details of funds allocated and utilized under Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) during the last five years are as under:

(Rupees in Crores)

| Financial Year   | DAPSC (erstwhile AWSC/SCSP) of all Ministries/ Department (R.E.)   | Utilization   |   Percentage of Utilisation |
|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|-----------------------------|
| 2020-21          | 82,707.51                                                          | 62,785.16     |                       75.91 |
| 2021-22          | 1,39,863.94                                                        | 1,23,009.63   |                       87.95 |
| 2022-23          | 1,52,110.47                                                        | 1,38,642.75   |                       91.15 |
| 2023-24          | 1,46,689.90                                                        | 1,35,178.59   |                       92.15 |
| 2024-25          | 1,38,372.79                                                        | 1,23,437.37   |                       89.21 |

DAPSC funds are earmarked for the welfare of SCs but due to the general nature of the schemes in some DAPSC obligated Ministries/Departments, DAPSC funds are not utilized fully.

- (c): Review meetings are held regularly at the level of Minister (SJ&E) and Secretary (SJ&E), with the obligated Ministries/Department to review allocation, expenditure, and progress of work under DAPSC. The last meeting was held on 29th April 2025. Through these review meetings, the actionable points are communicated to the Ministries/ Departments emphasizing on the direct benefits the selected schemes will have on the SCs. It is impressed upon them to increase expenditure in these schemes by reviewing the schemes internally at frequent intervals. The Ministries are also asked to make the Schemes as beneficiaries oriented as possible and ensure direct benefits to the targeted groups.

The Department has devised e-Utthaan portal for online capturing of data from various Ministries/Departments on the financial, physical and outcome based monitoring indicators as per the formats designed by the NITI Aayog. In order to monitor the Financial Progress on the real time basis, this web portal has been linked with Public Financial Management System (PFMS). User-Id and password are issued to the Nodal Officers of the obligated Department/Ministry for updation of information on physical targets, achievements and outcome progress of schemes under DAPSC.

*****