The Gujarat government's written reply to a question in the state Legislative Assembly has highlighted significant financial irregularities in the spending patterns of various boards and corporations under the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, including large unspent balances in some entities and excess expenditures in others.

The data, tabled in response to a query from a Congress MLA, exposed sharp disparities across the department's autonomous bodies responsible for welfare schemes targeting Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, and other marginalised groups. Several boards showed substantial unspent funds, indicating underutilisation of allocated resources meant for social welfare programmes, while certain corporations recorded overspending beyond their budgetary provisions. The government's submission pointed to erratic allocation patterns, with some entities failing to utilise funds efficiently and others exceeding limits, potentially due to poor planning, delays in project execution, or administrative bottlenecks.

Such inconsistencies raise concerns over the effective delivery of benefits to intended beneficiaries, including scholarships, hostels, economic empowerment initiatives, and rehabilitation support. The Social Justice and Empowerment Department oversees key corporations and boards that implement targeted schemes for vulnerable sections, and persistent mismatches in fund utilisation can impact the state's social welfare goals amid rising demands for inclusive development.

Also Read: Colorado Boy Impresses Airline After Spotting Manual Discrepancy

The revelation comes amid broader scrutiny of fiscal management in Gujarat, where similar issues of unspent allocations have surfaced in other sectors like tribal development. Opposition members have criticised the government for inefficiencies in resource deployment, arguing that unspent funds in welfare boards deprive communities of timely assistance, while excess outlays may reflect inadequate oversight or ad hoc spending.

Government officials have not detailed specific corrective measures in the reply but emphasised ongoing monitoring of departmental expenditures. The Assembly disclosure underscores the need for improved financial planning, timely utilisation certificates, and stricter accountability mechanisms in autonomous bodies to ensure that allocated funds translate into tangible welfare outcomes for the state's marginalised populations. Authorities are expected to address these gaps in future budgetary reviews and implementation strategies.

Also Read: JSW Motors Inks MoU With Tata IIS To Build Skilled Talent For First EV Facility