Question : SAAKSHAR BHARAT MISSION

(a) the details of the districts selected for Saakshar Bharat Mission in the country including Uttar Pradesh since the inception of the Mission;

(b) the criteria followed for selection of a district thereunder;

(c) the funds allocated and utilized under the Saakshar Bharat Mission since it was launched in 2009, State-wise;

(d) whether some of the States were unable to utilize the allocated funds under this programme;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;and

(f) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 224 FOR 17.8.2011 ASKED BY SHRI NEERAJ SHEKHAR AND SHRI YASHVIR SINGH REGARDING SAAKSHAR BHARAT MISSION

(a) & (b) A district, including a new district carved out of an erstwhile district that had adult female literacy rate of 50 percent or below, as per 2001 census, is eligible for coverage under the Saakshar Bharat programme. In addition, all left wing extremism affected districts, irrespective of their literacy rate, are also eligible for coverage under the programme. The eligible districts are covered under the programme in a phased manner. A statement listing the total number of eligible districts and the districts already covered under the programme since its inception is at Annexure-I.

(c) A Statewise statement indicating funds released towards the central share and utilized under Saakshar Bharat programme since its launch in September 2009 is at Annexure- II.

(d) & (e) The pace of expenditure in States like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan is particularly low. The prime reason for low utilisation of funds is that programme management structures are being revived as Saakshar Bharat was launched in 2009 after a considerable period of dormancy of the National Literacy Mission, its first version. Further, some of the State Governments have not accorded the programme adequately high priority. Litigation, low capacity of the sub-State implementing agencies, namely, Panchayati Raj Institutions and the voluntary nature of the programme are the other factors impacting the pace of implementation.

(f) To accelerate the pace of implementation of the programme, the Government has been rigorously reviewing the programme with State Governments at various levels and addressing teething problems. Capacities of the State Literacy Mission Authorities as well as Panchayati Raj Institutions are being developed through regular orientation and training. Performing States are also being encouraged through conferment of awards.