JAMMU — PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Friday questioned the non-release of Rs 270 crore under the Marriage Assistance and Ladli Beti schemes over the last three financial years, including the current one, alleging that large portions of the announced funds remain stuck in the treasury.
Taking a dig at the National Conference-led government, Para said welfare schemes meant for economically weaker sections were being reduced to “paperwork dressed up as relief”.
In a post on X, he claimed that of the Rs 234 crore shown as disbursed under the Marriage Assistance scheme, Rs 70 crore is still pending in the treasury, while Rs 200 crore under the Ladli Beti scheme has also not been released.
“If Rs 70 crore and Rs 200 crore haven’t even left the treasury and are stuck with finance, how is this called disbursal?” Para asked, adding that people need “money in hand, not figures in files”.
He also sought accountability from the government over the delays.
Meanwhile, the government informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that more than Rs 364 crore has been disbursed under the two schemes during the last three financial years.
In a written reply to Para’s unstarred question, the government said Rs 130 crore each was disbursed under the Marriage Assistance scheme in 2023–24 and 2024–25, benefitting 26,000 people annually. For 2025–26 (as on date), Rs 234 crore has been released to 44,301 beneficiaries, though bills worth Rs 70.08 crore are still pending payment in the treasury.
District-wise data showed Baramulla recorded the highest number of beneficiaries in recent years in 2023–24 with 2,721 cases, followed by 2,472 in 2024–25, while 3,855 beneficiaries have received assistance in the district in 2025–26 (as on date), followed by Budgam 4,255, Anantnag 4,308, Kupwara 3,426 and Pulwama 2,429.
Under the Ladli Beti scheme, Rs 213.75 crore was disbursed to 1,41,085 beneficiaries in 2023–24, while Rs 150 crore reached 1,76,126 beneficiaries in 2024–25. For the current financial year, Rs 300 crore has been shown as disbursed to 1,98,024 beneficiaries, with Rs 200 crore still pending, the reply said. — (PTI)