PLAYING TEACHER: Minister for School Education N. Rajyalakshmi interacting with a schoolboy at a review programme in Tirupati on Saturday.

TIRUPATI: Officials were in for a rude shock when Minister for School Education N. Rajyalakshmi made it clear that she would not hesitate to literally `wield the stick' on the erring.

At a meeting to review the implementation of `Sarva Siksha Abhiyan' and other projects pertaining to Chittoor, Nellore, Kadapa and Anantapur districts, the Minister hinted at the changing funding pattern from the 11th Plan period, when the Centre would support only to the extent of 50 per cent, unlike the 75 per cent at present, and asked the officials to take up developmental works at the earliest.

A huge portion of the Rs. 1,300 crores sanctioned for the year was lying unutilised she lamented and asked the officials to utilise it before the end of the financial year.

She indicated that the officials concerned would be taken to task if the funds lapsed due to under utilisation.

Construction of toilets

The Minister made no bones of her displeasure over the sluggish pace at which toilets were being constructed in the rural schools. She also asked the officials to see that the upper primary schools provided sufficient training to adolescent girls on hygiene and sanitation.

Education Secretary P. Krishnaiah warned the lax officials of severe action and asked them to work on Sundays also. Sarva Siksha Abhiyan Project Director K. Chandramouli, School Education Director S. Balasubrahmanyam, joint director Ch. Pulliah and DEOs were present. Earlier, the Minister witnessed a `Metric mela' conducted by school children and interacted with them.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail