Parliament Panel Raps Govt Over Poor Fund Utilisation, Reduced Targets in Disability Schemes

A parliamentary committee has pulled up the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) for persistent underutilisation of funds and reduced physical targets across key schemes for persons with disabilities, warning that such lapses risk undermining their welfare.

- TDG NETWORK

The 13th report of the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, tabled in Parliament on Thursday, reviewed government action on its earlier recommendations related to the 2025-26 Demands for Grants.

While the panel welcomed some corrective steps, it said several replies from the government were "unsatisfactory" and required reiteration.

The committee expressed concern that fund utilisation remained inconsistent across flagship schemes such as the Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP), the Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA), the Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) and scholarships.

In 2024-25, less than 40% of SIPDA's revised allocation was spent, with significant sums returned due to procedural delays.