The Government has released Rs. 1215 crores as Additional Central Assistance for Mid-Day Meal scheme during 2004-05. The highest amount Rs. 170.67 crores was released to Uttar Pradesh during this period. Some other States which received the control assistance under this scheme are: Maharashtra Rs. 139.95 crores; Orissa Rs. 73.56 crores; Gujarat Rs. 4804 crores; Assam Rs. 23.11 crores; Tamil Nadu Rs. 58.19 crores; Kerala Rs. 24.53 crores, West Bengal Rs. 69.93 crores and Bihar Rs. 70.82 crores.
The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meal schemes are being implemented in convergent manner with a common objective for universalization of elementary education.
The Planning Commission has also made recommendation for conducting mid-term appraisal to consider extension of SSA mission up to classes 10 by promoting public-private partnership.
Due to the universalization of primary education and implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) the demand for secondary education in the future is likely to increase considerably. A committee of the Central Advisory Board on Education has therefore been constituted to examine the various aspects and made suitable recommendation to the Government.
This information was given by Shri M.A.A. Fatmi, Minister of State for Human Resource Development in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
