Avinav Verma
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Government has released ₹2,211.88 crore for beneficiary-oriented welfare schemes during 2026-27, but only ₹1,325.07 crore has been utilised so far, leaving around ₹886.81 crore unspent, according to a Finance Department reply tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The figures came in response to a starred question by Nagrota MLA Devyani Rana on the funding and timely disbursement of welfare schemes.
The reply reveals that ₹112.86 crore under the Ladli Beti scheme remains pending, affecting 2,25,720 beneficiaries.
The dues relate to the period from April to August 2026, with the Social Welfare Department attributing the delay to reconciliation pending at the J&K Bank level.
The Government has not, however, prescribed a uniform fixed payment schedule for all UT-funded welfare schemes.
Asked whether monthly entitlements would be released within the first week of the succeeding month and other periodic payments within a fixed timeframe, the Finance Department said the frequency and timeline for actual beneficiary payments are managed by the concerned implementing departments according to individual scheme guidelines.
The reply said Finance Department generally authorises 50 per cent of the approved budget for the first six months, followed by quarterly authorisations, subject to departmental requirements, requisitions, expenditure and utilisation.
The data also show a significant gap between funds released and expenditure. Against the total approved provision of ₹3,159.66 crore, ₹2,211.88 crore has been released, while expenditure reported so far stands at ₹1,325.07 crore.
The schemes covered include Ladli Beti, Marriage Assistance and Integrated Social Security Scheme under Social Welfare; financial assistance to people living with HIV and the UT share of Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY under Health and Medical Education; ST scholarships under Tribal Affairs; scholarships and stipends under School Education; crop insurance under Agriculture; and stipends and education assistance under Industries and Commerce.
The Government said implementing departments are responsible for maintaining scheme-wise and month-wise records of pending payments and ensuring disbursement to eligible beneficiaries.
