Question : FUNDS FOR SSA

(a) the criteria for providing funds to States under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA);

(b) the proportion of funds allocated under the scheme to each State/UT during each of the last three years and the current year vis-a-vis the total allocation;

(c) whether some of the States are eligible for higher proportion of funds as per geographical area or population;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for less allocation to these States;

(e) whether the Government intends to redress the grievances of States in getting funds under SSA; and

(f) if so, the details thereof ?

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

(a) to (f): Funds under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) are approved to States/UTs as per their Annual Work Plan and Budget proposals, based on the SSA framework of implementation. The Central funds are released in two or more installments to the States, depending on the State/UT’s opening balance, release of commensurate State share, pace of expenditure, submission of audit reports and other such criteria laid down in the scheme. The State/UT wise release of Central funds under SSA in the last three years and the current year, from total funds available in the Central budget is at Annexure.

Geographical area or population per se are not the criteria for allocation of funds under the SSA, which supports States/UTs in universalising elementary education by providing for new schools, additional teachers, teacher training and various child entitlements as per the SSA programme norms. Since the process of SSA Annual Work Plan and Budget sanctions is done in a participatory mode and the States/UTs enter into a dialogue during the approval process, the grievances are addressed during the approval process. Only those State/UT proposals can be approved under the SSA which are as per the permissible programme provisions.