Centre reduces NE state's share on SSA projects

Aizawl, July 4 (UNI) The Centre has reduced the state's share of 25 per cent on its Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) projects for all the eight North Eastern states including Sikkim.

Talking to the media, state Education Minister R Lalthangliana informed that the Central government was persuaded to lower the state share in the SSA scheme, especially to all the eight North Eastern states''.

''We have been after the Centre to do this for quite a long time and it was indeed an uphill task'', he added.

According to the minister, the 77:25 ratio on Central and state contribution has been changed to 75:15:10.

While 75 per cent of the funds would be given by the Human Resources Development ministry, 15 per cent would be contributed by Development of North East Region (DoNER) ministry while ten per cent would be the state's contribution.

''Now DoNER would be contributing a sum of Rs 90 crore for the eight states for the current fiscal and this pattern of funding would continue till 2010'', the minister pointed out.

Mr Lalthangliana also said they hope to get this kind of funding pattern from the Rural Development ministry and for which talks has already begun between the NE states and the Centre.

UNI SNR SP SS1042