(a) whether the Government is aware that the poor are not
getting the benefit of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the
country, including Uttar Pradesh;
(b) if so, the names of the said States;
(c) whether the Government has received complaints of
irregularities and financial malpractices in this scheme;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the measures taken by the Government to make the said
Abhiyan successful?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(Dr. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) & (b): Under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), multi-
pronged action is taken for universalization of elementary
education, with special focus on children belonging to
disadvantaged group and weaker section. This includes opening of
primary and upper primary schools within “defined area or limits
of neighbourhoodâ€, provision of residential schools, transport /
escort facilities, providing free text books to all children,
providing two sets of uniform to poor boys (in BPL category) and
all girls, removing financial and procedural barriers to
schooling, abolition of corporal punishment etc. These measures
have contributed towards improvement in enrolment of students
from 13.45 crore in 2008-09 to 13.56 crore in 2009-10.
(c) & (d): Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has an intensive
Financial Management System which includes annual audit by
Chartered Accountants empanelled with Comptroller and Auditor
General (CAG) of India, concurrent financial review by Institute
of Public Auditors of India (IPAI) as well as system for internal
audit. SSA conducts Quarterly Review Meetings with Finance
Controllers of all States/UTs for monitoring the utilization of
funds. Whenever misappropriation of funds meant for SSA are
reported through audit by CA firms, Accountant General (AG) of
States, CAG of India and IPAI Reviews and action is taken
thereon. Investigations have been made on the misappropriation of
funds in West Bengal in 2004-05, Haryana in 2005-06, 2008-09 and
2009-10, Himachal Pradesh in 2005-06, Andhra Pradesh in 2006-
07 and 2010-11, Karnataka and Rajasthan in 2007-08 and Gujarat in
2009-10. Besides initiating departmental proceedings against the
persons found guilty, police complaints have been filed and
investigation through State CID/Vigilance Department has been
conducted. The persons concerned have either been transferred,
suspended or terminated and recoveries affected. In Andhra
Pradesh, orders attaching the properties of the two main accused
parties have been issued.
(e): Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is the main implementation vehicle for
the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act,
2009. The Implementation Framework of SSA has been revised to
correspond with the provisions of the RTE Act. A comprehensive
monitoring mechanism has been put in place to ensure smooth
implementation of SSA.