**Summary:**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1477, addressed to the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment on July 29, 2025, concerning the outcomes and impact of Chintan Shivirs. The response, provided by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri B.L. Verma, clarifies that the Ministry utilizes Chintan Shivirs to improve the implementation and review of various Acts and schemes designed for the welfare of weaker sections of society, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
The primary objective of the Chintan Shivirs is to foster convergence and improve coordination between the Central Government and the States/Union Territories (UTs), thereby ensuring more effective service delivery at the field level. These Shivirs involve the participation of Ministers and senior officials from the Social Welfare Departments of States/UTs.
The deliberations during the Chintan Shivirs lead to a review of existing schemes based on inputs from State Governments, potentially resulting in revisions to scheme guidelines for improved implementation. Furthermore, these events have facilitated the resolution of long-pending issues, such as the submission of utilization certificates, beneficiary data under grant-in-aid schemes, timely data submission on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP), spending of Single Nodal Agency (SNA) balances, submission of required documents, and timely proposal submissions. These resolutions have contributed to the more timely release of funds to targeted beneficiaries.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the welfare and empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalized sections of society.
Chintan Shivir: A workshop/conference organized by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to review schemes, share practices, address issues of States/Union Territories, and improve coordination between the Centre and the States/UTs.
Scheduled Castes (SCs): A group of historically disadvantaged communities in India recognized by the Constitution of India and benefiting from specific government programs.
Other Backward Classes (OBCs): A group of socially and educationally disadvantaged communities in India eligible for certain affirmative action measures.
States/Union Territories (UTs): The constituent political entities within the Republic of India. The implementation of the Acts and schemes of the Ministry is largely with the States/Union Territories.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP): An online platform for scholarship schemes, used for timely submission of data under scholarship schemes.
Single Nodal Agency (SNA): Refers to balances under Single Nodal Agency lying with State Governments.
Senior Citizens: Older adults who are beneficiaries of programs implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTTON NO.1477
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2025
CHINTAN SHIVIR
SHRr BHOJRAJ NAG:
11477.
SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:
SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:
SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has achieved any measurable outcomes following the Chintan Shivir
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any scheme has been strengthened or expanded as a result of the deleberations, if so,
the details thereof;
(c) whether camp has led to any improvement in service delivery to Scheduled Cates (SCs),
Other Backward Classes (OBCs), senior citizens or persons with disabilities; and
(d) if so, the details of major acheivements made or reforms implemented by the Govemment
since the event?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(sHRr B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (d): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing various Acts and
its related schemes for welfare of the weaker sections of the society. The implementation of these
Acts and schemes is largely with the States/Union Territories (UTs) For effective
implementation of the provision of Acts and Schemes and to review the Schemes, sharing of
good practices, addressing issues of States and release of funds etc., the Ministry organizes
Chintan Shivirs which aim to foster convergence, improve coordination between the Centre and
the StatesAJTs and ensure effective delivery of Government services at the field level.
The Ministers and senior officials of the Social Welfare Departments of StatesfuTs of attend the
Chintan Shivir, which lead to better monitoring and implementation of the Schemes at the
State/UT level.Based on the inputs provided by the State Governments, the Ministry carries out review of the
Schemes leading to revision in guidelines of some of the Schemes for better implementation of
the Schemes. Long pending issues such as submission of utilization certificates, furnishing
beneficiaries data under grant-in-aid schemes, timely submission of data on National Scholarship
Portal (NSP) under scholarship schemes, spending of Single Nodal Agency (SNA) balance lying
with State Governments, submission of required documents as per guidelines of the Schemes and
furnishing of proposals on time etc., were resolved which have yielded positive results in
facilitating timely release of funds to the targeted beneficiaries.
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