Third-Party Evaluations Helping Monitor Schemes For Scheduled Castes: Official

(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, Aug 28 (IANS) To advance education, dignity, livelihood security and socio-economic empowerment among Scheduled Castes, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment regularly conducts internal reviews of schemes, third-party evaluations and social audits, an official said on Friday.

The Ministry monitors implementation of welfare schemes for the educational advancement, socio-economic empowerment, livelihood promotion and protection of Scheduled Caste communities through national-level Chintan Shivirs, regional meetings, national conferences and consultations with stakeholders, the official said in a statement.

From financial years 2021-22 to 2025-26, funds were allocated for major initiatives including the Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, National Fellowship for SC Students and National Overseas Scholarship, it said.

Other initiatives included Top Class Education, Free Coaching, Pre-Matric Scholarship, Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), Scheme of Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA), Venture Capital Fund for SCs and skill-development programmes, it said.

Scholarship assistance is largely disbursed through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode to facilitate faster and more transparent transfer of benefits directly into the bank accounts of eligible students. This mechanism also supports accurate beneficiary targeting and reduces delays in disbursement, it said.

The official statement said that monthly and quarterly expenditure targets are reviewed by the Ministry to identify implementation gaps and facilitate timely corrective measures.

Awareness and outreach initiatives are also undertaken through advertisements in national and regional newspapers, social media campaigns and regular follow-up with States and Union Territories, it said.

These efforts are aimed at increasing awareness among eligible beneficiaries, improving the submission of proposals and ensuring timely utilisation of allocated funds, it said.

Through strengthened monitoring, digital fund-management systems, direct transfer of benefits, regular evaluation and closer coordination with implementing authorities, the Government remains committed to ensuring that Scheduled Caste welfare schemes reach eligible beneficiaries effectively, the Ministry official said.

The initiatives seek to advance education, dignity, livelihood security and socio-economic empowerment among Scheduled Caste communities across the country, the statement said.

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