New Delhi, March 13 -- The Parliamentary standing committee on social justice and empowerment has flagged concerns over budget cuts, under-utilisation of funds, and implementation gaps across ministries responsible for welfare schemes for minorities, tribals, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups.

The 31-member committee, chaired by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker P. C. Mohan, said in its report on the demands for grants of the ministry of minority affairs for 2026-27 that the ministry had proposed a budget allocation of Rs.4,758.37 crore for various schemes but received only Rs.3,400 crore from the ministry of finance - about 28.5% less than the proposed amount.

The committee also highlighted cuts in Waqf-relat...