Question : FUNDS FOR THE WELFARE OF DISABLED

(a) whether his ministry has not been able to properly utilize the entire funds sanctioned for welfare of the disabled persons during the last year and the current year, till date;

(b) if so, the reasons therefore;

(c) whether the unutilized funds have been diverted for other purposes;

(d) whether the Government have formulated any scheme to ensure that the entire funds sanctioned for the above purpose are properly utilized during the current financial year; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (DR. SATYANARAYAN JATIYA)

(a) to (e): During 2000-2001, the Ministry utilized 94% of the allocation under Budget Estimates of Disability Sector and 95% of the Revised Estimates. In the current year, 88% of the Budget Estimates allocation has been utilized upto 26th February, 2002 and the balance funds are expected to be fully utilized.

The shortfall in utilization of funds in 2000-01 was on account of the slow pace of execution of some new schemes/programmes. Reappropriation of savings from one head to another is done as and when such a need arises. The Ministry is also regularly monitoring the progress of various schemes to ensure that the allocation is fully utilized.