MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)
(a): Yes, Madam. It has been decided that the fund sharing pattern of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
(SSA) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Schemes will be in the ratio of 60:40 between the Centre and
States; and 90:10 for the 8 North-Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura and 3 Himalayan States of Jammu
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand with effect from the year 2015-16. The changes in
the fund sharing pattern are based on the report of the Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on
Rationalization of Centrally Sponsored Schemes constituted by the National Institution for
Transforming India (NITI) Aayog.
(b):With the acceptance of the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission (FFC) by
Government of India, the devolution to the States has increased from 32% to 42% of the net
Union Tax Receipts. It is estimated that this entails devolution of additional resources to States
as untied funds. Therefore, the changes are not likely to affect the effectiveness of schemes in the
States.
(c): The changes in the fund sharing pattern of the SSA and MDM are based on the report of the
Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on the rationalization of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs).
The Sub – Group undertook extensive consultation with States and UTs including those which
were not represented by their Chief Ministers or Lieutenant Governors (LGs) in the Sub-Group.
Thus, it is implicit that most of the States are in concurrence with the report of the Sub-Group on
fund sharing pattern of the CSSs.
(d): The implementation of SSA is reviewed twice every year by a Joint Review Mission
comprising independent experts and external funding agencies covering States. The Ministry of
Human Resource Development convenes periodic meetings with State Education Ministers and
Secretaries to review the programme implementation. Data on Educational indicators are
collected through a Unified District Implementation System of Education (UDISE) every year.
National Achievement Surveys (NAS) are conducted to check the health of the educational
system and to provide information about the learning achievement of students.
The implementation of MDM is also reviewed regularly through Joint Review Missions
so as to assess the quality and impact of the scheme. At national level, an Empowered
Committee, headed by Minister, Ministry of Human Resource Development, a National level
Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee (NSMC) and Programme Approval Board (PAB) monitor
the Scheme and suggest policy measures for effective implementation of the Scheme. At the
State level, State level Steering–cum-Monitoring Committee headed by Chief Secretary and at
the district level a District Level Committee under the Chairpersonship of senior most Member
of Parliament of Lok Sabha monitor the scheme. Updated guidelines have been issued on quality,
safety and hygiene on school level kitchens to all the States/UTs in February, 2015. MDM
Rules, 2015 provide for mandatory testing of food samples on a monthly basis by Government
recognized laboratories to ensure that the meals meet with nutritional standards and quality. The
utilization of funds and food grains is also monitored through the Quarterly Progress Reports
(QPRs) as well as through the Management Information System (MIS).
*****
Download PDF Files
