Executive Summary:
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3757 regarding funds under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PMAJAY) in Maharashtra, to be answered on August 12, 2025. It addresses the reasons for non-release of funds under the Adarsh Gram component and the non-submission of proposals under the hostel component of the scheme by the State of Maharashtra during the financial year 2024-25. The document also outlines steps taken by the Government to ensure timely fund release and active participation of Maharashtra in the PMAJAY scheme.
Key Points / Main Content:
Adarsh Gram Component Funding:
Funds were not released to Maharashtra in FY 2024-25 due to an unspent balance in the State's Single Nodal Agency (SNA) account and non-submission of all Utilization Certificates for previous releases, in accordance with PMAJAY guidelines.
Since 2018-19, Rs. 51.29 crore has been released to Maharashtra for Village Development Plans (VDPs) and gap-filling activities.
Out of 515 villages selected, 345 VDPs have been generated, and 267 villages have been declared as Adarsh Gram.
Hostel Component Proposals:
No proposals were received from Maharashtra for the hostel component during FY 2024-25.
PMAJAY guidelines require State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Universities to submit proposals on the dedicated PMAJAY portal.
Government Actions for Improvement:
A new fund flow mechanism, SNA-SPARSH (just-in-time release), has been introduced to address non-release of funds due to unutilized balances.
National Conferences, Chintan Shivirs, and Regional Conferences are organized to ensure active participation of States and Union Territories.
Monthly reviews are conducted through meetings and video conferences with States/UTs, complemented by regular state-wise performance tracking.
Oversight is provided by committees at the Central, State, District, and District levels to monitor and ensure effective implementation of the scheme.
Impact Analysis:
State Government of Maharashtra:
Impact: No funds released under the Adarsh Gram component for FY 2024-25; no hostel proposals submitted.
Action Required: Ensure utilization of existing funds, submit Utilization Certificates, and submit proposals for the hostel component via the PMAJAY portal.
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment:
Impact: Responsible for addressing funding issues and encouraging State participation.
Action Required: Continue implementing the SNA-SPARSH mechanism, conduct reviews and conferences, and provide oversight to ensure timely fund release and active participation.
Villages Selected Under PMAJAY in Maharashtra:
Impact: Delay in development activities due to funding constraints.
Action Required: Cooperate with State Government in VDP generation and implementation of gap-filling activities once funds are available.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PMAJAY): A central government scheme aimed at the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes.
Maharashtra: A state in India, recipient of funds under the PMAJAY scheme and subject of the parliamentary question.
Adarsh Gram: A component of the PMAJAY scheme focused on developing model villages.
Village Development Plans (VDPs): Plans created for the development of selected villages under the Adarsh Gram component of PMAJAY.
Single Nodal Agency (SNA): The agency at the state level through which funds for the PMAJAY scheme are disbursed.
Utilization Certificates: Documents certifying the proper utilization of funds released under the PMAJAY scheme.
Hostel component of PMAJAY: A component of the PMAJAY scheme focused on providing hostel facilities.
SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE: Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3757
TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.08.2025
FUNDS UNDER THE PM-AJAY IN MAHARASHTRA
3757. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that no funds have been released to the State of
Maharashtra under the Adarsh Gram component of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati
Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) scheme during the financial year 2024-25;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor, despite the generation of 66 Village Development Plans (VDPs) in
Maharashtra out of 3495 VDPs generated nationwide;
(c) whether the Government has received any proposals from the State of Maharashtra under the
hostel component of PM-AJAY during the financial year 2024-25;
(d) if not, the reasons for non-submission of proposals by the State; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure timely fund release and active
participation of Maharashtra in both components of the PM-AJAY scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RAMDAS ATHAWALE)
(a) & (b): As per the PM-AJAY scheme guidelines and the Department of Expenditure’s
instructions, funds under the Adarsh Gram component are released to States/UTs only if there is
no unspent balance in their Single Nodal Agency (SNA) accounts and all Utilization Certificates
for previous releases have been submitted. Since the State of Maharashtra had an unspent
balance, no funds could be released during the financial year 2024-25 under the Adarsh Gram
component of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) scheme.
Since 2018-19, Rs. 51.29 crore has been released to the State Government of Maharashtra
for generation of VDPs and implementation of gap-filling activities. Of the 515 villages selected,
345 villages development plan (VDPs) have been generated and 267 villages have been declared
as Adarsh Gram.(c) & (d): As per the scheme guidelines of PM-AJAY, under Hostel component proposals are
required to be submitted by the respective State Government/UT Administration/Central
Universities to the Department on the dedicated PM-AJAY portal. During the financial year
2024-25, no proposal has been received from the State of Maharashtra.
(e): To ensure timely release of funds to the States, the Government has introduced a new fund
flow mechanism, i.e., SNA SPARSH (just in time release) which addresses the non-release of
funds due to funds lying unutilised.
To ensure the active participation of Maharashtra in both components of the PM-AJAY
scheme, National Conferences/ Chintan Shivirs and Regional Conferences are organised with the
participation of States and Union Territories. Monthly reviews are conducted through meetings
and video conferences with States/UTs, complemented by regular state-wise performance
tracking. Further, oversight by committees at the Central, State, District, and District levels
ensures their active involvement in monitoring and effective implementation of the scheme.
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