The Parliamentary standing committee on social justice and empowerment has raised concerns over budget cuts, under-utilisation of funds, and implementation gaps across ministries responsible for welfare schemes for minorities, tribals, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups.
The committee highlighted cuts in Waqf-related schemes, with the ministry proposing ₹50.01 crore for the Qaumi Waqf Boards Taraqquiti Scheme and the Sahari Waqf Sampati Vikas Yojana, but being allocated only ₹32 crore – a reduction of about 36%.
The ministry told the committee that the reduction was due to structural, statutory, and transitional reforms undertaken during the period.
The report also highlighted steps taken by the ministry to improve the utilisation of Waqf-related schemes, including establishing Project Management Units (PMUs) in State Waqf Boards, organising capacity-building workshops and review meetings, and introducing digital reforms.
The committee observed a persistent pattern of under-utilisation of funds by the ministry of minority affairs, with only ₹1,032.65 crore spent out of the revised estimate of ₹2,608.93 crore in 2023-24.
The panel also expressed dissatisfaction that only ₹8,757.04 crore of the revised estimate of ₹10,824.18 crore for 2025-26 had been utilised by February 23, 2026 – roughly 19% less than the allocation of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
The committee recommended that the ministries strengthen monitoring mechanisms, set quarterly expenditure targets, and improve coordination with States/UTs to ensure that welfare schemes meant for disadvantaged sections are implemented effectively and funds are utilised in a timely manner.
