Lok Sabha Question No. 2406 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Impact of Schemes on Marginalized Communities
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Shashank Mani

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2406 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2024

## IMPACT OF SCHEMES ON MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES

## 2406. SHRI SHASHANK MANI:

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

- (a) whether the Government has outlined the key objectives and initiatives of the schemes for social justice aimed at marginalized communities and their impact on welfare and empowerment, particularly in Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, including district-wise contributions in Uttar Pradesh and other States;
- (c) whether these social justice initiatives integrate provisions for accountability in fund utilization and transparency in governance and if so, the outcomes achieved; and
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to further enhance public access to these schemes and improve their effectiveness in rural and underserved areas, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B.L. VERMA)

- (a) & (b): The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) is entrusted with the empowerment of the disadvantaged and marginalized sections of the society, across the country including Uttar Pradesh. The target groups of DoSJE are: Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Senior Citizens, Victims of Substance Abuse, De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs), Rehabilitation of Persons engaged in the act of Begging, Transgender Persons, Sanitation Workers including waste/rag pickers and Economically Weaker Sections.

Funds under the schemes being implemented by this Department for the marginalized sections of the society, are either released directly to the beneficiaries or through the State/UT Governments. Funds are not directly sent to District administration.

- (c): Under the schemes, funds are released installment-wise to ensure accountability in proper utilization of funds. The Department also sponsors evaluation studies from time to time through independent third party evaluation agencies, to inter-alia check proper utilization of funds by the implementing agencies under various schemes/programs. Besides, social audits are also conducted to ensure accountability and transparency in implementation of the schemes.
- (d): Social Justice schemes are universal for the marginalized sections of the society which largely reside in rural and under-served areas. The Department is also implementing rural specific scheme such as Pradhan Mantri - Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) under which financial assistance is provided for development of SC dominated villages into an "Adarsh Gram".

The Department utilizes various platforms, including the Ministry's website, the e-Anudaan Portal, social media channels, regional conferences, and radio channels to raise awareness and enhance public access of the schemes.

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