Lok Sabha Question No. 2905 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Funds for Persons with Disabilities
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DIVYANGJAN)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2905 TO BE ANSWERED ON - 10/03/2026

## FUNDS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

2905. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that a significant portion of the budget allocated for schemes related to persons with disabilities remains underutilised year after year;
- (b) if so, the reasons for persistent underutilisation of funds earmarked for disability welfare and inclusion programmes;
- (c) the steps taken or proposed to ensure full and timely utilisation of allocated funds to improve access to education, employment, healthcare and assistive devices for persons with disabilities; and
- (d)  the  mechanisms  in  place  to  monitor  and  evaluate  the  impact  of  expenditure  on  disability welfare and to ensure funds reach the intended beneficiaries?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b):  No.

The details of the budget allocated, revised estimates and actual expenditure during the last three years is as under:

|   S. No. | Programme/ Schemes Financial Year   | Assistance Disabled Persons purchase Fitting Devices (ADIP)   | to for of   | Deendayal Divyangjan Rehabilitation Schemes   | Scholarship for Students with Disabilities   |   Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 |
|----------|-------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|-------------|-----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2022-23                             | BE 235.00                                                     |             | 125.00                                        | 105.00                                       |                                                                          240.39 |
|        2 | 2022-23                             | RE 230.00                                                     |             |                                               | 105.00 145.00                                |                                                                          100    |
|        3 | 2022-23                             | AE                                                            |             | 242.29                                        | 114.69 142.00                                |                                                                           65.59 |
|        4 | BE                                  | 245.00                                                        |             | 130.00                                        | 155.00                                       |                                                                          150    |
|        5 | BE                                  | RE 305.00                                                     |             | 130.00                                        | 155.00                                       |                                                                           67    |
|        6 | BE                                  | AE 290.60                                                     |             | 129.98                                        | 130.07                                       |                                                                           76.79 |
|        7 | RE                                  | BE 315.00                                                     |             | 165.00                                        | 142.68                                       |                                                                          135.33 |
|        8 | RE                                  | 350.00                                                        |             | 139.00                                        | 80.00                                        |                                                                          111    |
|        9 | RE                                  | AE 348.81                                                     |             | 139.39                                        | 89.71                                        |                                                                           44.16 |

(c)  &  (d):   The  Department  of  Empowerment  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  (DEPwD)  is implementing various schemes for the welfare of persons with disabilities (PwDs), (Divyangjan). The funds are released to the eligible beneficiaries/ organisations/ institutions upon receipt of the proposals  in  accordance  with  the  Scheme  Guidelines.  In  some  cases  the  cause  of  under utilization has been late or incomplete submission of proposals by the stakeholders.

To  ensure  timely  utilization  of  funds  and  effective  delivery,  the  Schemes  are  regularly monitored, including inspection by District Authorities and State Governments. The department conducts regular review with associated stakeholders for sensitizing them and need to propagate the benefits of the schemes meant for PwDs for their empowerment. Feedbacks are also sought from stakeholders.

The Department is taking steps to ensure transparency and that the benefits reach the intended beneficiaries.  Under  Awareness  Generation  and  Publicity  (AGP)  Scheme,  the  Department  is creating  general  awareness  about  the  Schemes  and  programmes  of  the  Government  for  the welfare of Persons with Disabilities.

*****