Parliament Question: Utilisation of allocated funds under various schemes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1880 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 UTILISATION OF ALLOCATED FUNDS UNDER VARIOUS SCHEMES 1880. SHRI IMRAN PRATAPGARHI: Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) whether it is a fact that the utilisation of allocated funds under various schemes of Government has remained significantly below allocations during the last five Financial Years; (b) the details of Budget Estimates, Revised Estimates and actual expenditure during this period year- wise; (c) the reasons for persistent under-utilisation despite substantial allocations; (d) whether Government has conducted any internal review or third-party evaluation to assess the causes of such under-utilisation; and (e) the corrective measures taken or proposed to be taken to ensure full and timely utilisation of funds meant for minority welfare? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU) (a) to (c): The statement showing Budget Estimate, Revised Estimate and actual expenditure during the last five years i.e. from FY 2020-21 to 2024-25 is at Annexure-I. The expenditure was low for FY 2022-23 and 2023-24 due to the following reasons: i) Department of Expenditure issued PFMS and SNA Guidelines wherein some conditions are mandatory to be complied with by the respective States/UTs/CGOs to make them eligible for fund release. These conditions include credit of the amount of Interest accrued to them on the Government of India Funds, transfer of all funds of PMJVK Scheme available in the State Treasury to its SNA Account, submission and approval of PFMS Legacy Data, clearance of pending State Share and its credit to the SNA, requirement of Utilization of expenditure of 75% of the funds released etc. At the time of introduction of these norms, most States/UTs were holding significant unspent balances and were not fully compliant to the said guidelines, and the additional requirement to close legacy accounts, delink non-SNA entities and realign administrative processes created initial delays. ii) The Scholarship schemes have not been approved for implementation beyond 2021-22. iii) The Free Coaching and Allied Scheme, Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies scheme, Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) scheme, Nai Roshni for Minorities havebeen discontinued w.e.f. 2022-23. However, only committed liabilities under MANF scheme are being released. iv) Due to the non-constitution of the Central Waqf Council, which was the implementing agency for the Quami Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS) and the Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana (SWSVY), the schemes could not be implemented through the Council. The Ministry is now implementing these schemes directly with effect from July, 2025. v) Due to discontinuation of the services of the Implementing Agency, and also for the reasons of revisions of the guidelines of Jiyo Parsi Scheme and notification thereof. (d) & (e): No such third-party evaluation was conducted during the period to assess the causes of under untilisation of funds. However, Ministry has taken several measures to improve utilisation of funds under PMJVK, including regular review meetings with States/UTs, monitoring through the PMJVK online portal, and providing guidance for timely submission of proposals and utilisation certificates. Accordingly, fund utilisation under the scheme has shown improvement, and States/UTs are being encouraged to expedite implementation to ensure timely delivery of benefits in minority- concentrated areas. Ministry has undertaken a Third-Party Evaluation Study through Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi and an Impact cum Assessment has also been conducted by Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog, which provided evidence-based assessments of the scheme’s impact, efficiency and sustainability in minority concentration areas. These studies reviewed infrastructure creation, service delivery and outcomes, and identified gaps relating to awareness, fund flow, monitoring and asset maintenance. As part of the IIPA-led Third-Party Quality Assessment (TPQA) study, field assessments were conducted in several States. The Evaluation conducted by IIPA was focussed on physical progress and impact of the PMJVK. Further, to institutionalize independent technical oversight, Third-Party Quality Assurance (TPQA) has been made mandatory for PMJVK projects across all States/UTs. TPQA agencies verify the quality of works as per approved DPRs and prescribed standards of CPWD/State PWD/BIS or other relevant technical codes and submit reports for release of subsequent instalments, thereby functioning as a continuous technical due-diligence and monitoring mechanism. As part of monitoring mechanism, National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC), has put in place several measures to ensure transparent implementation of its programs at the field level. Following corrective measures have been taken by NMDFC for timely utilization of funds:- i). Independent Beneficiary Verification and Impact Assessment NMDFC regularly undertakes impact evaluation of its schemes by engaging independent third- party organizations/agencies to conduct beneficiary verification and impact assessment studies. These assessments evaluate proper utilization of NMDFC funds and the overall impact of its schemes on targeted minority communities across the country. The latest study is conducted by IIT during the year 2025-26.ii). Field Visits by NMDFC Officials iii). Periodic Review Meetings Ministry of Minority Affairs is also implementing Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme to provide opportunities for skill development, education of school dropouts and women entrepreneurship among minority communities through various agencies. Under the scheme, 47 projects have been approved with a target of over 1.50 lakh beneficiaries. Ministry is implementing Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiaiti Scheme (QWBTS) scheme to strengthen State Waqf Boards by modernising and automating their functioning through a single, web- based centralised system that improves record-keeping and transparency. The Waqf Act, 1995 has been amended in 2025 as the Unified Waqf Management Empowerment Efficiency and Development (UMEED) Act, 1995, with a strong focus on reinforcing the institutional and functional framework of Waqf Boards. To support this reform, the UMEED Central Portal 2025 has been launched to digitise Waqf records, covering property registration, lease management, litigation tracking, and GIS mapping of Waqf properties, ensuring better governance and accountability. The corrective measures taken to ensure full and timely utilisation of funds under Jiyo Parsi Scheme include revision of the guidelines, holding of regular meetings with stakeholders, development of online portals for submission and processing of applications from the applicants for financial assistance under its Medical and Health of Community components, and organisation of verification camps in states with a significant Parsi population, development and deployment of Beneficiary Satyapan App for authentication of identity and living of the applicant beneficiaries under the Scheme, and regular follow-up with the nodal officers of such states. To strengthen absorption capacity and ensure optimal utilisation of the enhanced allocation, the Ministry has focused on improving both financial processes and on ground implementation. Regular coordination meetings and performance reviews are being held to track progress. Regular review of performance of each programmes /scheme at the Ministry level with concerned States/UTs is being held. Efforts are being made to fully utilize the funds allocated to the Ministry for the FY 2025-26. Efforts would be made to completely utilise the funds allocated to this Ministry for FY 2026-27. *****ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) to (C) OF THE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1880 FOR ANSWER ON 09.03.2026 REGARDING ‘ UTILISATION OF ALLOCATED FUNDS UNDER VARIOUS SCHEMES’ ASKED BY SHRI IMRAN PRATAPGARHI Statement showing year-wise allocation and expenditure (Rupees in crore) 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 S.No Scheme Actual Actual Actual Actual BE RE BE RE BE RE BE RE BE RE Actual Expr Expr Expr Expr Expr 1 Pre-Matric 1330.0 1330.00 1325.54 1378.00 1378.00 1350.99 1425.00 556.82 43.95 433.00 400.00 95.84 326.16 90.00 1.55 Scholarship 0 2 Post-Matric 535.00 535.00 512.81 468.00 468.00 411.87 515.00 515.00 29.00 1065.00 1000.00 85.02 1145.38 343.91 5.31 Scholarship 3 Merit-cum- Means 400.00 400.00 396.34 325.00 325.00 345.77 365.00 358.02 34.90 44.00 25.00 152.74 33.80 19.41 3.51 Scholarship 4 Maulana Azad National 175.00 100.00 73.50 99.00 99.00 74.00 99.00 99.00 98.85 96.00 54.00 83.45 45.08 45.08 25.00 Fellowship for minority students 5 Interest subsidy on educational Loan for Overseas 30.00 22.00 20.19 24.00 24.00 22.15 24.00 24.00 24.00 21.00 7.00 0.00 15.30 15.30 0.00 studies for students belonging to minority communities. 6 Free Coaching &Allied 50.00 25.00 18.44 79.00 39.35 37.15 79.00 29.97 25.00 30.00 14.00 11.70 10.00 3.50 2.36 Scheme for minorities 7 Support for Students Clearing Prelims conducted by UPSC, 10.00 8.00 4.15 8.00 6.00 7.97 8.00 1.68 1.66 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 SSC, State Public Servies Commission s etc. 8 Education scheme for Madarsas 0.00 0.00 0.00 174.00 174.00 161.53 160.00 30.00 0.08 10.00 5.00 0.01 2.00 0.01 0.00 and Minorities 9 Skill Developmen 250.00 190.00 190.03 276.00 250.00 268.48 235.41 100.00 65.28 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 t Initiative 10 Upgrading Skill and 60.00 60.00 56.74 47.00 47.00 76.68 47.00 47.00 10.61 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Training in Traditional Arts/Craftsfor Developmen t (USTTAD) 11 Nai Manzil 120.00 60.00 59.84 87.00 47.00 48.86 46.00 20.00 7.62 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 12 Contribution to equity of 160.00 110.00 110.00 153.00 100.00 100.00 159.00 159.00 159.00 61.00 61.00 61.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 NMDFC 13 Scheme for Leadership Developmen 10.00 6.00 6.00 8.00 2.50 2.99 2.50 2.00 0.62 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 t of Minority Women 14 Scheme for Containing population decline of a 4.00 4.00 4.00 3.00 3.00 5.00 10.00 5.00 2.70 6.00 3.00 1.00 6.00 5.53 5.04 small minority Community 15 Hamari 3.00 5.20 4.55 2.00 2.00 1.66 2.00 2.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Dharohar 16 Research/ Studies, Monitoring, Evaluation of 50.00 35.00 11.92 41.00 41.00 15.18 41.00 25.00 4.83 20.00 15.00 13.27 20.00 12.20 23.62 development schemes for Minorities including Publicity17 Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas 1600.0 971.38 1091.94 1390.00 1199.55 1266.87 1650.00 500.00 222.66 600.00 550.00 189.23 910.90 908.90 955.23 Karyakaram 0 (Earlier MsDP) 18 Grants-in- aid to Maulana 82.00 80.00 70.92 90.00 76.00 76.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Azad Education Foundation 19 Grants in aid to State Channelizin g Agencies (SCA) 2.00 1.00 0.97 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.00 2.00 engaged for implementati on in NMDFC programme 20 Qaumi Waqf Board 18.00 9.00 0.10 14.00 10.00 6.72 10.00 10.00 5.12 10.00 5.00 0.10 10.00 3.06 1.56 Taraqqiati Scheme 21 Shahri waqf sampatti 3.00 3.00 3.00 2.00 2.00 1.00 5.00 5.00 0.00 7.00 3.00 0.00 6.00 0.01 0.00 Vikas Yojana 22 Secretariat 25.00 26.00 23.72 28.00 26.90 25.60 30.61 30.61 25.02 35.00 35.00 29.59 35.62 43.81 42.0723 National Commission 11.00 9.29 7.10 12.00 9.92 7.61 12.70 12.70 11.24 15.00 13.50 12.18 14.00 14.00 11.77 for Minorities 24 Special Officer for 3.00 2.13 1.84 2.77 2.19 2.06 2.85 2.85 1.98 4.00 2.88 1.59 3.00 2.00 1.61 Linguistic Minorities 25 Haj 98.00 13.00 4.92 98.00 12.04 7.10 89.42 75.00 61.56 97.00 86.69 83.51 97.00 129.46 112.03 Management 26 PM VIKAS 290.15 109.88 0.00 255.43 30.00 0.00 27 PM VIKAS Committed 249.85 215.98 209.42 244.57 200.00 203.35 Liability Total 5029.00 4005.00 3998.56 4810.77 4346.45 4325.24 5020.50 2612.66 837.68 3097.60 2608.93 1032.65 3183.24 1868.18 1396.01