SRINAGAR: The flow of funds for women and child development in Jammu and Kashmir reflects an evolving narrative of allocation, utilisation, and impact across various schemes under the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
The data, which the ministry shared in the Rajya Sabha, provides a detailed account of the fund flow from 2019 to 2024 for initiatives like Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0, Mission Vatsalya, and Mission Shakti. This analysis is based on figures presented in the annexures of a government response in the Rajya Sabha dated December 18, 2024.
The cumulative funds released under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 for Jammu and Kashmir rose consistently over the five years, with utilisation exceeding 98 per cent in most years. Under Mission Vatsalya, allocation fluctuated but maintained commendable utilisation levels, particularly in 2021-22. Mission Shakti, especially its Sambal and Samarthya components, showed varied performance, with a notable increase in released amounts in 2023-24.
In 2019-20, Rs 332.85 crore was released to Jammu and Kashmir, with a utilisation rate of 98.64 per cent. By 2020-21, the released funds decreased to Rs 294.17 crore, but the utilisation rate surged to an impressive 153.25 per cent due to the usage of unspent grants from previous years. In 2021-22, the allocation increased significantly to Rs 405.74 crore, with a utilisation rate of 173.65 per cent. However, in 2022-23, the utilisation dipped to 86.89 per cent out of Rs 479.01 crore. In 2023-24, Rs 530.88 crore was allocated, with utilisation data pending.
For Mission Vatsalya, the funding pattern revealed an initial allocation of Rs 12.25 crore in 2019-20, which saw utilisation almost doubling at 189.88 per cent. In 2020-21, Rs 14.91 crore was released, but utilisation dropped to 47.69 per cent. By 2021-22, Rs 19.30 crore was allocated, with a recovery in utilisation at 124.51 per cent. In 2022-23, allocations rose to Rs 28.23 crore, but utilisation sharply fell to 20.94 per cent. The allocation for 2023-24 was Rs 43.64 crore, awaiting detailed expenditure reports.
The Sambal initiative under Mission Shakti saw Rs 96.39 lakh allocated in 2019-20, with a 39 per cent utilisation rate. In 2020-21 and 2021-22, the utilisation details were unavailable. The allocation for 2022-23 stood at zero, while Rs 335.96 lakh was earmarked for 2023-24, marking a 106 per cent utilisation, reflecting the inclusion of funds from earlier periods.
The Samarthya component, encompassing schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), showed an allocation of Rs 30.12 crore in 2019-20, with utilisation slightly exceeding 100 per cent. In 2020-21, the funds dropped to Rs 7.5 crore, with a utilisation rate of 268.53 per cent. In 2021-22, Rs 39.34 crore was allocated with 83.50 per cent utilisation. The released funds in 2022-23 amounted to Rs 20.6 crore, with 118.59 per cent utilisation. In 2023-24, Rs 33.6 crore was allocated, with pending utilisation details.
While Jammu and Kashmir has demonstrated notable efficiency in fund utilisation for many schemes, fluctuations in allocation and underutilisation in some years indicate scope for improving planning and implementation mechanisms. These trends highlight the evolving dynamics of government funding aimed at empowering women and children in the region.
