The Government has informed the Rajya Sabha that, as per the NITI Aayog Guidelines, 2017 for the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC), earlier known as the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP), 38 Ministries/Departments of the Government of India are earmarking funds across various schemes for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes.

Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale shared these details in reply to Questions asked by SHRI GOLLA BABURAO in  Rajya Sabha regarding the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes.

The data on Budget Estimates (BE), Revised Estimates (RE) and actual expenditure under DAPSC across Ministries/Departments since 2020-21 shows that actual expenditure remained below the Revised Estimates during each of the years from 2020-21 to 2025-26. The utilisation of Revised Estimates was 81.61 per cent in 2020-21, 91.22 per cent in 2021-22, 91.90 per cent in 2022-23, 93.83 per cent in 2023-24, 92.57 per cent in 2024-25 and 85.65 per cent in 2025-26.

The Government stated that the funds are earmarked only for the welfare of Scheduled Castes. However, due to the general nature of schemes in some Ministries/Departments, the funds are not utilised fully in certain cases.

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment oversees the utilisation of DAPSC funds by the obligated Ministries/Departments through periodic review meetings under the chairpersonship of the Hon’ble Minister and Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment. In the recent past, review meetings under DAPSC were held under the chairpersonship of Shri B.L. Verma, Hon’ble Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, on April 29, 2025, and at the level of Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment on August 25, 2025 and April 16, 2026.

From time to time, through communications, DAPSC-obligated Ministries/Departments are asked to expedite expenditure and ensure optimal utilisation of funds earmarked under DAPSC. Further, in adherence to the directions issued by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, all 38 Ministries/Departments implementing DAPSC have nominated a nodal officer for financial and physical monitoring of DAPSC funds in their respective Ministries/Departments.

The Government continues to strengthen monitoring and review mechanisms to ensure optimal utilisation of funds earmarked under DAPSC for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes.

****

PR-61-TAR-KV-GA

(Release ID: 2296754) Visitor Counter : 171