Over ₹152 crore allocated under key rural development schemes in Jammu and Kashmir remain unutilized, prompting the Union Ministry of Rural Development to urge the UT administration to expedite fund utilization to ensure timely benefits reach the intended rural population.
According to official data from the Plan Finance Management System (PFMS), the unspent amount spans across five major schemes: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
💰 Scheme-wise Unspent Balances in J&K (as of early 2025)
- MGNREGS
- ₹44.95 lakh under the Material Component
- ₹2.93 crore under the Admin Component
Objective: Guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment annually to willing rural households for unskilled manual work.
- PMAY-G
- ₹28.9 crore unspent in the State Nodal Account (SNA)
Objective: Providing pucca houses to the rural poor under the vision of “Housing for All.”
- ₹28.9 crore unspent in the State Nodal Account (SNA)
- PMGSY
- ₹114.43 crore unspent in SNA
Objective: Delivering all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural habitations, boosting socio-economic development.
- ₹114.43 crore unspent in SNA
- NRLM
- ₹5.47 crore unspent as of March 25, 2025
Objective: Reducing rural poverty through self-employment and skilled wage opportunities, creating sustainable livelihoods.
- ₹5.47 crore unspent as of March 25, 2025
In total, ₹152 crore remains unutilized across these key programs in J&K.
🏔️ Ladakh Also Shows Unspent Balances
In the Union Territory of Ladakh, several schemes also showed underutilization:
- ₹1.5 crore under PMAY-G (as of April 1, 2025)
- ₹56 lakh under PMGSY
- ₹6.17 crore under NRLM
🗂️ Centre’s Directive: Ensure Timely & Transparent Spending
The Union Rural Development Ministry emphasized that allocation under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) is an ongoing process, made in installments based on fund utilization, submission of required documents, and actual ground-level requirements.
With the introduction of the Single Nodal Agency (SNA) model, fund release has become faster and more streamlined. The Ministry has urged the UT governments to leverage the transaction-based Management Information Systems (MIS) now in place to ensure real-time monitoring and strict compliance with guidelines.
“The UT Government must prioritize the timely and effective utilization of funds. These schemes are designed to transform rural life. Delays undermine their impact,” said a senior Ministry official.
The call for expedited utilization highlights the Centre’s concern over the slow pace of implementation, which could hinder rural development progress in the region.
