Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan suffered in Punjab: CAG report

Chandigarh, Mar 30 (UNI) The Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme suffered in Punjab as the project grant amounting to Rs 55.17 crore released by the central government during 2001-02 remained unutilised as a result of which the scheme could not be implemented in that year.

The review highlights of SSA as presented in the CAG report-2006 revealed that the expenditure level of 1999-2000 on elementary education was not maintained, as a result the state funding of SSA was met from the cut in expenditure on elementary education. This was also compounded by further delays in releasing of State share to the State Project Directors (SPD) in contravention to the frame work of the implementation of the programme.

A sum of Rs 66.38 crore which were to be disbursed to District Project Directors (DPDs) during 2002-04 were not received till January 2005 putting the matter to risk of misappropriation of government money. An amount of Rs 3.62 crore was released by SPD to DPDs for construction and repair of schools and other buildings in violation of norms and conditions of SSA.

According to the report, SPD failed to fill up vacancies of teachers despite funds being available. There was heavy shortfall in training of teachers.

The report noted that books worth Rs 1.09 crore purchased were lying undistributed in stores and there were cases of irregularities in purchase of books and training modules. The Elementary Government Schools did not work properly because against 39,179 seats for school children only 8659 students could be actually enrolled.

UNI