Question : COMPUTER LITERACY SCHEME

(a) whether the computer literacy and studies in schools (CLASS) project, sponsored by the Union Government on 100% centrally assistance has been implemented in Maharashtra;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the said ‘CLASS’ scheme was weeded out from the financial year 1999-2001;

(d) if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) the amount required by the Government of Maharashtra during 1998-99 for implementation of the scheme and the amount released by the Union Government to the State Government on this account;

(f) the outstanding amount yet to be released to the State Government; and

(g) the time by which this amount is likely to be released to the State Government?

THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)

(a) & (b) : Yes, Sir. Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Computer Literacy & Studies in Schools (CLASS) an amount of Rs. 890.66 lakhs has been sanctioned to the Government of Maharashtra for implementation of the scheme.

(c) to (g) : The CLASS Scheme has been weeded out in its existing form from 1997-98. It has been decided to modify the scheme. The amount of Rs. 105.03 lakhs requested by the Government of Maharashtra towards maintenance grant for the period 1998-99 has been sanctioned during 2000-01. There is no outstanding amount for releasing to the State Government.