Lok Sabha Question No. 2841 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-10
Subject: Implementation of Welfare Schemes
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

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

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2841 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2026

## IMPLEMENTATION OF WELFARE SCHEMES

## 2841. SHRI RAJU BISTA:

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

- (a) the details of various welfare schemes being implemented by the Ministry for the benefit of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts;
- (b) the number of beneficiaries covered under each of these schemes in the said districts since 2019, year and scheme-wise;
- the total amount of funds allocated and utilized under these schemes in Darjeeling and Kalimpong during the said period; and
- whether any proposals have been received from the Government of West Bengal or local authorities for new projects such as old age homes, hostels o skill development centres in these districts and if SO, the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) implements various schemeslprogrammes for the socio-economic welfare of scheduled castes, other backward classes, senior citizens and persons with disability across the country including Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal. The details of schemes, persons benefited and the expenditure Since 2019 onwards is at Annexure
- (d): Proposals for projects such as old age homes, hostels and skill development centres under the relevant schemes of the Ministry are considered as and when received from the State Governmentlimplementing agencies, subject to the scheme guidelines, availability of funds and fulfilment of eligibility criteria.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2841 FOR REPLY ON 10.03.2026 REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF WELFARE SCHEMES ASKED BY SHRI RAJU BISTA.

## 1. PM-AJAY:

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit   Jaati   Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY); a Centrally   Sponsored Scheme,launched in 2021-22 by merging three existing  schemes, namely Adarsh Gram; Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas   Yojana The Scheme has  three components  namely (i) 'Adarsh Gram' (ii)Grants-in-aid for District/Statelevel Projects for Socio-Economic betterment of Scheduled   Caste(SC) Communities' and (iii) 'Hostel' . Under this scheme, the central assistance is released by this Department to the State GovernmentIUnion Territory Administration and not at   district level: However; the details of funds released and beneficiaries covered under the Grants- in-aid component in the State of West Bengal since

(Rs: in crore)

|   SI: No: | Financial Year   |   Grants-in-aid | Beneficiaries covered            |
|-----------|------------------|-----------------|----------------------------------|
|         1 | 2019-20          |          164.85 | 61856                            |
|         2 | 2020-21          |          166.6  | 37536                            |
|         3 | 2021-22          |          195    | 43498                            |
|         4 | 2022-23          |            0    | 43929                            |
|         5 | 2023-24          |           33.21 | 11254                            |
|         6 | 2024-25          |           58.29 | Not reported by State Government |
|         7 | 2025-26          |           47.95 | 198073                           |

2. Pre-Matric for SCs and Others and Post-Matric Scholarship to the Students belonging to SC for studies in India (PMS-SC):

Centrally  Sponsored Scholarship Schemes viz (i) Pre- Matric Scholarships for SCs and Others; (ii) Post-Matric Scholarships to the Students belonging to SC for studies in India (PMS-SC), which are being   implemented   through the State GovernmentsIUTs Administrations. Post Matric   scholarship scheme for SC students and Pre Matric scholarship scheme for SCs & others are implemented on DBT mode Wef. 2021-22 & w.e.f: 2022- 23 respectively. Under the above Schemes, the release of Central Share of scholarship is   contingent upon State   GovernmentsMUTs   Administrations to share the StatelUT data to the National Scholarship Portal. The aforesaid schemes are openended and demand driven for all the eligible students of all the recognized institutions across India subject to the budget outlay. paid

The   details of Physical (no. of beneficiaries) and Financial  (released Central   Share) achievements from A.Y. 2022-23 to 2024-25 in Darjeeling and Kalimpomg, West Bengal i.r.o. Pre-Matric Scholarships Scheme for SCs & Others is as follows:

|         | DARJEELING    | DARJEELING                    | KALIMPONG     | KALIMPONG                     |
|---------|---------------|-------------------------------|---------------|-------------------------------|
| A.Y     | Beneficiaries | Central Share released in Rs. | Beneficiaries | Central Share released in Rs: |
| 2022-23 | 1530          | 32,23,500                     | 22            | 46,200                        |
| 2023-24 | 1205          | 25,62,000                     | 25            | 52,600                        |
| 2024-25 | 828           | 17,70,300                     | 22            | 46,200                        |

The details of Physical (number of beneficiaries) and Financial (released Central  Share) achievements from A.Y. 2021-22 to 2024-25 in Darjeeling and Kalimpomg in respect of Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students is as follows:

|         | DARJEELING    | DARJEELING                    | KALIMPONG     | KALIMPONG                     |
|---------|---------------|-------------------------------|---------------|-------------------------------|
| A.Y     | Beneficiaries | Central Share released in Rs. | Beneficiaries | Central Share released in Rs: |
| 2021-22 | 8099          | 2,01,34,728                   | 152           | 4,34,676                      |
| 2022-23 | 8811          | 2,.42,68,080                  | 146           | 4,12,164                      |
| 2023-24 | 5923          | 1,68,30,648                   | 97            | 2,42,772                      |
| 2024-25 | 3199          | 88,02,204                     | 76            | 1,92,672                      |

3. National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) provides financial assistance for income generating activities at concessional rate of interest to the members of Backward Classes (urban & rural) having annual family income upto Rs.3.00 Lakh; through its Channel Partners (agencies nominated by the States/UTs, various Scheduled Banks etc.).

The year and scheme-wise number of beneficiaries assisted under each of these schemes in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal since 2019 are as under:

|                            | DARJEELING                     | DARJEELING                        | KALIMPONG                              | KALIMPONG                         |
|----------------------------|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| Year                       | Individual Loan Beneficiaries) | Group Loan (No. of Beneficiaries) | [ndividual Loan (No. of Beneficiaries) | Group Loan (No. of Beneficiaries_ |
| 2019-20                    | 1                              |                                   | 15                                     | 18                                |
| 2020-21                    |                                | 90                                | 0                                      | 37                                |
| 2021-22                    |                                | 63                                | 23                                     | 54                                |
| 2022-23                    |                                | 20                                |                                        | 81                                |
| 2023-24                    |                                |                                   |                                        | 60                                |
| 2024-25                    |                                | 32                                | 5                                      | 20                                |
| 2025-26 (As on 05.03.2026) | 3                              | 20                                | 0                                      | 10                                |

The total amount of funds allocated/disbursed and utilized under these schemes in Darjeeling and Kalimpong during the said period, are as under:

|                            | DARJEELING                                 | DARJEELING                    | KALIMPONG                               | KALIMPONG                     |
|----------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Year                       | Funds allocated I Disbursed (Rs: in lakhs) | Funds utilized (Rs: in lakhs) | Funds allocated Disbursed (Rs: in lakh) | Funds utilized (Rs. in lakhs) |
| 2019-20                    | 8.50                                       | 8.50                          | 6.32                                    | 6.32                          |
| 2020-21                    | 9.00                                       | 9.00                          | 3.7                                     | 3.70                          |
| 2021-22                    | 6.30                                       | 6.30                          | 7.4                                     | 7.40                          |
| 2022-23                    | 8.80                                       | 8.80                          | 58.87                                   | 58.87                         |
| 2023-24                    | 38.63                                      | 38.63                         | 31.10                                   | 31.10                         |
| 2024-25                    | 11.33                                      | 11.33                         | 16.26                                   | 16.26                         |
| 2025-26 (As on 05.03.2026) |                                            | 9.23                          | 2.00                                    | 2.00                          |

4. Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry has been implementing the schemes of Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchasel Fitting  of Aids and Appliances  (ADIP)'    through which funds are released to various Implementing Agencies for providing aids & assistive devices to the eligible persons with disabilities   (PwDs) across the  country including West   Bengal.  Being a Central Sector Scheme, there is no State-wise/District-wise allocation made under the ADIP Scheme. However, funds utilized and number of beneficiaries covered in Darjeeling and Kalimpong Districts under the ADIP Scheme since 2019 year-wise, are aS under:

|                                | Darjeeling                   | Darjeeling                    | Kalimpong                    | Kalimpong                     |
|--------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Year                           | No. of beneficiaries covered | Funds Utilized (Rs. in lakhs) | No. of beneficiaries covered | Funds Utilized (Rs. in lakhs) |
| 2019-20                        | 154                          | 10.33                         |                              |                               |
| 2020-21                        | 234                          | 16.09                         |                              |                               |
| 2021-22                        |                              |                               |                              |                               |
| 2022-23                        | 403                          | 30.05                         | 41                           | 3.45                          |
| 2023-24                        | 8                            | 0.48                          |                              |                               |
| 2024-25                        | 261                          | 28.45                         | 32                           | 1.98                          |
| 2025-26 as on date 06.03.2026) | 120                          | 11.45                         | 20                           | 2.52                          |

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