Question : SETTING UP OF MADRASA

(a) the criterion for setting up of a Madrasa and allocation of funds to the States and districts in the country in this regard;

(b) the funds allocated for the science and computer labs during the last three years;

(c) the number of centrally sponsored Madrasas in the State of West Bengal;

(d) the details of physical and financial progress of Madrasas in West Bengal since 2009;and

(e) the measures to be undertaken by the Government to increase the coverage and infrastructural facilities of Madrasas in the country including West Bengal?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SHASHI THAROOR)

(a) & (b) The criterion for setting up of a Madrasa concerns States / Union Territories. This Ministry, however, is implementing a Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrasas under which financial assistance is provided to eligible Madrasas who opt for the scheme, to introduce modern subjects like Science, Maths, Social Studies & English in their curriculum. During the last three years Rs. 287.24 crore has been released to States / UTs under the scheme for inter alia, honorarium of teachers, grants for computer & science lab, libraries, science & math kits and teachers’ training.

(c) to (e) No proposal from West Bengal has been received in the Ministry under this scheme since its inception in 2008-09.