The actual expenditure under the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes (DAPSC) has remained below the revised budget estimates every year since 2020-21, according to reports from Zee News. Fund utilisation fell to 85.65 per cent in 2025-26, marking a decline from the previous year's 92.57 per cent. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale informed the Rajya Sabha that actual expenditure under DAPSC has consistently remained below the Revised Estimates (RE) during every financial year from 2020-21 to 2025-26. The government has intensified monitoring of DAPSC allocations across 38 ministries and departments to ensure optimal utilisation of funds earmarked for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes.
According to data shared by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, fund utilisation stood at 81.61 per cent in 2020-21, improving to 91.22 per cent in 2021-22 and 91.90 per cent in 2022-23. The figure reached 93.83 per cent in 2023-24 before easing to 92.57 per cent in 2024-25 and 85.65 per cent in 2025-26. As reported by Zee News, the government noted that full utilisation is not achieved in some cases due to the general nature of certain schemes being implemented by ministries and departments. According to the Ministry statement, 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 are earmarking funds across various schemes for the welfare and development of Scheduled Castes.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Ramdas Athawale informed the Rajya Sabha that the government has intensified monitoring of DAPSC allocations across 38 Ministries/Departments of the government, as reported by Zee News. The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment closely monitors the utilisation of DAPSC funds by the obligated ministries and departments through periodic review meetings chaired by the Minister and Secretary of the department. According to the government statement, funds earmarked under DAPSC are meant exclusively for the welfare of Scheduled Castes. Athawale's response came in reply to a question raised by Rajya Sabha member Golla Baburao, highlighting the government's commitment to ensuring proper utilisation of these funds.
