Question : Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

(a) whether it is a fact that the educational activities undertaken by the State Governments
prior to the launch of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in 2001 were ineligible for Central funding
and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b) whether it is a fact that some State Governments which had made heavy investment
therein prior to SSA suffered heavily vis-a-vis those States which created most of the
infrastructure after the launch of SSA and if so, the response of the Government thereon; and
(c) whether the Government has received any representations from State Government of
Gujarat for providing funds in an equitable manner under SSA and also to provide special central
assistance to over a lakh primary school teachers appointed prior to coming into force of SSA
and if so, the response of the Government thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) & (b): No, Madam. Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a centrally sponsored
scheme, State Governments/UTs are provided financial assistance as per the guidelines and
norms of SSA. As per the SSA framework of implementation, the States/UTs are not entitled for
financial support for activities that have already been implemented by them. The SSA
framework for financial norms stipulates that States would need to maintain their level of
investment in elementary education as in 1999-2000. The Annual Work Plan and Budget of the
respective State government/UT under SSA is approved after detailed appraisal and deliberation
in the Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting. This gives full opportunity to all States to place
their requirement before the Central Government for seeking assistance under the SSA.
(c): Representations have been received from the State Government of
Gujarat regarding funding of 1 lakh teachers’ salary from funds released under SSA. Funds
under the SSA programme are provided by the Central Government to States/UTs based on
approved norms and guidelines of the scheme. As these teachers were appointed prior to the
implementation of SSA scheme, their salary would not be permissible under SSA. The
investment undertaken by the State Government prior to the SSA is not covered under the SSA.
*****