NEW DELHI: Two-and-a-half months into the 11th Plan, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has begun to feel the pinch of the change in the Centre's funding pattern. Its share in the programme has come down to 50 per cent from 75 during the 10th Plan period.

With a majority of the State Governments unable to pick up 50 per cent of the expenses, the SSA, which gained momentum over the past couple of years, may slacken, it is feared. Only Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Haryana and Kerala have pledged the required amount, and allocated more than what was expected of them.

Cause for particular concern are six States, which were already lagging behind in SSA targets though funds were pumped into the programme. Madhya Pradesh has provided only 65 per cent of the requirement, Rajasthan 31 per cent, Bihar 45 per cent, Jharkhand 40 per cent, Orissa 64 per cent and West Bengal 37 per cent.

With the SSA Project Approval Board drawing up the estimated Statewise outlay for this fiscal, the worst fears of the Union Human Resource Development Ministry and the State Governments, which are pitching for retaining the 75:25 funding pattern, have been confirmed. Contrary to the position of the Planning Commission and the Finance Ministry that States are flush with funds and can meet the new funding requirements, a majority of them have budgeted for less.

Probably in anticipation of a rethink by the Centre on the funding pattern, many a State has set apart funds for the SSA on the 75:25 calculations. There is a view within the Ministry that some States will be able to access more funds for the programme in their supplementary budgets. But this money will come in only by the year-end, by which at least nine months would have passed.

While the total outlay approved for the SSA this fiscal is Rs. 21,000 crore, the States' combined share is Rs. 10,500 crore. However, they have chipped in with only Rs. 5,000 crore.

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