Parliament Question: Implementation of Minority Welfare Schemes in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6126 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF MINORITY WELFARE SCHEMES IN MAHARASHTRA 6126. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that welfare schemes meant for minorities have not been implemented effectively in Amravati district of Maharashtra during the last three years and the current year including delays in identification of beneficiaries, incomplete projects and under- utilisation or lapse of allocated funds; (b) if so, the details thereof, scheme-wise indicating the funds allocated, released, utilised and lapsed in Amravati district during the said period; (c) the details of the number of beneficiaries identified and actually covered under each major minority welfare scheme in the district during the said period; and (d) the corrective measures taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure timely implementation, proper fund utilisation and effective grievance redressal for minority beneficiaries in Amravati district? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU) (a) to (d): The Government implements various schemes for the welfare and upliftment of every strata, including minorities, specially the economically weaker and lesser privileged sections of the society. The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements following schemes for socio-economic and educational empowerment of the six (6) centrally notified minority communities viz. Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi and Sikh: 1. SCHOLARSHIP Ministry of Minority Affairs implemented 3 Scholarship Schemes namely Pre-Matric, Post-Matric and Merit-cum-Means based Scholarship Scheme for the notified minority students. The schemes were implemented across the country including the District of Amravati. However, the schemes have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22. 2. PMJVK Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and a flagship programme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs aimed at creation of community infrastructure in Minority Concentration Areas across the country. The scheme focuses on improving the quality of life of minority communities by developing infrastructure in sectorssuch as Health, Education, Skill Development, Women-centric projects, Drinking Water Supply, Sanitation, Sports, Renewable Energy, Tourism, Animal Husbandry and other need-based community assets. PMJVK is a demand-driven scheme, under which projects are considered and approved on the basis of proposals received from the respective State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations, subject to fulfilment of scheme guidelines. Further, as PMJVK is a demand- driven scheme, no district-wise allocation of funds is made under the scheme. However, funds are released to States/UTs based on approved projects and their implementation progress. The year-wise details of funds released to the State of Maharashtra under PMJVK during the last three years and the current year are as under: (Rs. in Lakh) 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Mother Sanctions issued as per SNA Sparsh 2025-26 as on 20.03.2026 - - 2000.00 6000.00 5500.00 3. PM VIKAS The Ministry of Minority Affairs implements Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme as a Central Sector scheme which converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’ ‘USTTAD’ and ‘Hamari Dharohar’; and focuses on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minorities through skill development; entrepreneurship and leadership development of minority women; and education support for school dropouts. Under the PM-VIKAS Scheme where scheme implementation has commenced in 2025- 26, a total of 1,137 candidates from the State of Maharashtra have been enrolled so far. This scheme is implemented through Project Implementing Agencies, thus, no fund is being to District Administration. 4. Jiyo Parsi Jiyo Parsi scheme is a unique Central Sector initiative aimed at arresting the population decline of the Parsi community. It is a beneficiary-driven program, and its implementation at the district level remains limited due to the negligible presence of the Parsi population. Funds are not allocated on a district-wise basis; instead, they are released directly to eligible beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). No beneficiaries have been reported from Amravati District of Maharashtra. 5. NMDFC National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) extends concessional credit for self-employment ventures for the socio-economic development of “backward sections” among the notified national minority communities. The schemes ofNMDFC are implemented through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by respective State Governments/UT Administrations. The Government of Maharashtra has nominated Maulana Azad Alpasankhyank Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAAAVM) to implement NMDFC schemes in the State of Maharashtra. Details of fund Allocated/Released/Utilized by MAAAVM in Distt. Amravati, Maharashtra under NMDFC Schemes for 2023-24 to 2025-26 are given below: - Allocated/Released/ Beneficiaries Financial Year Scheme type Utilized (Rs in Lakhs) Assisted Term Loan / 2023-24 41.37 20 Education Loan Term Loan / 2024-25 50.12 17 Education Loan 2025-26 (up to Term Loan / 31.6 8 20.03.2026) Education Loan MAAAVM maintains a strong field-level presence across all districts of Maharashtra, including Amravati. Loan sanctions and disbursements are carried out based on assessed field- level demand and the availability of funds. Field office officials regularly visit beneficiaries to ensure proper utilization of the sanctioned amounts. Further, MAAAVM has established a grievance redressal cell at its head office to address and resolve grievance and concerns of beneficiary effectively. *****