The Hindu : National : Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a national agenda: Arjun Singh

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Friday, Oct 29, 2004

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National

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a national agenda: Arjun Singh

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 28. The Union Human Resource Development Minister, Arjun Singh, today described the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) initiated by his predecessor, Murli Manohar Joshi, as a "national agenda" which should not be affected by political differences.

Addressing a conference of Education Ministers from all States and Union Territories here, Mr. Singh said that the SSA was the heart and soul of the education system and urged all States to implement it on a mission mode. Stating that the money collected through the education cess was being parked in a non-lapsable fund, he said: "We have to go beyond paying platitudes and prove ourselves in making SSA a success as we cannot take shelter under excuses of resource crunch anymore."

During the discussions, some Ministers made out a case for continuing with the ongoing pattern of funding even after the Tenth Plan Period wherein the Centre picks up 75 per cent of the bill on SSA with each State giving the remaining 25 per cent. Mr. Singh assured them that he would take up the issue with the Planning Commission during the mid-term appraisal of the Tenth Plan. Under the current scheme, the States will have to pick up 50 per cent of the expenditure from the Eleventh Plan.

Responding to his plea that political differences be kept out of the SSA, the Ministers including those from parties outside the United Progressive Alliance committed themselves to the universalisation of elementary education.

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