Prime Minister's departure statement at Srinagar Following is the text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s departure statement at Srinagar today: Status report on implementation of J & K packages Railways reviewing recruitment and training process to improve safety Attack on Akshardham temple case: 5 persons arrested House of Nepalese Finance minister burned down by Maoists MoU signed between India and Australia Funds no problem in implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Dr.Sanjay Paswan Dr.Joshi suggests International Meet on Curriculum 33 sportsperson received Arjuna award from president
KERALAMONITOR.COM 30, Aug 2003
Prime Minister's departure statement at Srinagar Following is the text of the Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s departure statement at Srinagar today:
"During my two-day visit to the Valley, I held discussions with the Chief Minister, his Council of Ministers and representatives of a cross section of the society. I also attended the Inter-State Council meeting at Srinagar.
I had announced a series of programmes and projects for economic development of the State during my last two visits to Jammu & Kashmir in May 2002 and April 2003. Package I announced in May 2002 will involve expenditure of Rs. 8,519 crore and Package II involves Rs.6,425 crore. Total cost of the two packages is Rs.14,944 crore out of which Rs.9,184 crore has already been sanctioned. The Centre is closely monitoring the implementation of these two packages. Before I left Delhi, I had reviewed the progress of these schemes. I am happy to note that all the Ministries and Departments are taking full interest in the implementation of this scheme.
The Package-I announced in May 2002 has 26 schemes for development of rail and road communication, increased employment potential, enhanced relief to migrants and strengthening security in the State. Out of these 26 schemes, 10 have been implemented and remaining 16 are at various stages of implementation. The total cost of these schemes is Rs.8519.82 crore, out of which Rs.1533.34 crore has already been released. The work on all the schemes is going on satisfactorily. The railway line upto Udampur will be completed by 31st March 2004 and upto Katra by 31st March 2005. As promised, the first train will reach valley by 15th August 2007. Work on Railway project in Kashmir Valley is going on satisfactorily. Rs.100 crore are being provided for development of border areas annually. Technology Mission for Horticulture has been approved. Work on Rohtang tunnel, which will link Manali with Darcha-Nimu-Leh in Jammu & Kashmir, has been started. Enhanced relief to migrants has been provided and the J&K police force has been given additional funds for upgrading hospitals, establishment of schools and training centres for rehabilitation of widows of police personnel.
The Package II, which was announced in April 2003, is also under implementation and contains 10 schemes, of which one has been implemented and other 9 are at various stages of implementation. The total cost of the package is Rs.6,425 crore out of which Sewa II Project of Rs.665 crore has been sanctioned on 21.8.2003. It will cost Rs.3000 crore. The Task Force for generating employment opportunities has submitted its report. The Centre is ready to implement the Report. Baglihar hydro power project (Rs.3,800 crore) is under implementation by the State Government. About Rs.1600 crore has been spent by State Government. Additional Rs.2,200 crore bank funds will be tied within one month. With the concessions given by the State Government, the Project is now viable. Specific attention is being paid to promotion of tourism and upgradation of tourism infrastructure and assistance to the State Government for development of the power sector.
A status report on the implementation of various schemes of these two packages is being circulated separately".
Status report on implementation of J & K packages J&K PACKAGE - I Prime Minister visited Jammu & Kashmir on 21st to 23rd May, 2002. On 23rd May 2002, PM announced a set of projects and programmes to increase employment, develop rail and road communication, enhance relief to migrants and strengthen security in the State.
2. Progress of sanction of Schemes/ Programmes is as follows:.
a)
Total Schemes/ Programmes
26
b)
Schemes fully implemented
10
c)
Schemes under implementation
16
3. Tentative Fund requirements for all the schemes/projects is Rs.8519.82 Crore approximately spread over a period of 5 years. Funds to the tune of Rs.1533.34 Crore approximately have already been released/utilized.
.
4. Status of sanction and implementation of the schemes/projects is as follows:
viii) Development of Sericulture & Silk Industries (Rs. 10.06 Crore). Rs.2.26 Crore approximately has been released during 2002-03 to J&K Government.
ix) Development of Wool (Tweed) and Woollen Design and Development Centre (Rs. 10.00 Crore). J&K State Handloom Development Corporation is the implementing agency for the project. The land and building for the said project has been identified at Ram Bagh, Srinagar.
x) Integrated Project for development of Kani Jamawar Shawls (Rs. 5 Crore). Detailed project report is still awaited from the JKHDC, Jammu.
xi) Setting up of Weavers Service Centre. The scheme has been approved. 19 new posts have been created. Location will soon be finalised (proposed location is Nowshera).
xii) Development of Agri export zones for apples and walnuts(Rs.100 crore) MOUs have been signed between APEDA (Implementing Agency) and the State Government of J&K for both AEZs (Agri Export Zones).
xiii) Eco-Restoration of degraded catchment of Chenab, Jhelum Shivaliks in J&K using participatory watershed approach. Ministry of Agriculture have formulated a tentative moniterable Action Plan for Rs.100 Crore to be executed in 5 years (2002-03 to 2006-07). As per supplementary Annual Work Plan for 2002-03 submitted by J&K Government, an amount of Rs.3.32 Crore has been released for implementation of the programme during 2002-03 under Macro Management of Agriculture. An amount of Rs.16.00 Crore has been allocated for 2003-04.
xiv) Technology Mission Horticulture for J&K for Rs.100 Crore, over 5 years which could be coordinated with the Agri-Export Zones for Apples and Walnuts being developed by Ministry of Commerce. Planning Commission has given "In principle approval" for extending the existing Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in NE States including Sikkim to the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Proposal has been approved.
xv) For Border Area Development Programme Fund increased to Rs.500 Crore over the next 5 years. Half of the amount will be made available directly to DRDAs with focus on taking up economic/infrastructure development programme in border Areas. J&K Govt. has furnished the list of schemes approved by State level Screening Committee. 1st instalment of Special Central Assistance of Rs.66.67 Crore has been released to the Government of J&K under BADP. Release of 2nd and final instalment of SCA of Rs.33.33 Crore for 2002-03 has been recommended to Ministry of Finance.
xvi) Raising of India Reserve Battalions one each in 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 at a cost of Rs.26 Crore. Orders have been issued by Ministry of Home Affairs for raising the 1st Battalion on 5.7.2002 to raise 1 IR Battalion in J&K.
xvii) Provision of Rs.25 Crore @ Rs.5 Crore per year for next 5 years for incentive schemes for Special Operation Group Personnel. Govt of India has approved this. Govt of J&K has been asked to implement it and claim reimbursement.
xviii) Provision of Rs.5 Crore over 5 years for training/ weaponry to J&K volunteer force. They will also be given a higher allowance on a selective basis. Govt of India has approved this. Govt of J&K has been asked to implement it and claim reimbursement.
xix) Increase in ex-gratia payment to next of kin of SPOs killed in action against terrorists from Rs.1.25 Lakh to 2 Lakh per person. Govt of India has approved this. Govt of J&K has been asked to implement it and claim reimbursement.
xx) Provision of better weaponry to Village Defence Committees (VDCs). Govt. of J&K has initiated process of providing better weaponry on a selective basis. Funds to the tune of Rs.1.25 Crore have been released to Assam Rifles for providing 2500 7.62 mm SLR (used and serviceable) to J&K Police for use of VDCs. The proposal stands implemented.
Financial Status of Package I.
S.No.
Schemes/Programme
Total cost of the Project (Rs Crore) Allo-cation Till date (Rs Crore) Expen-diture/ Disburse-ment (Rs Crore) 1. Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway line
5500 (Latest cost) 1955.32 1314.12 2. Doubling of Jammu Tawi-Jalandar Railway Line
408.69 37.00 58.40 3. Manali approach Road Rohtang
Tunnel - Darcha - Nimu Road
1335 35.90 31.38 4. Completion of
Batote-Kistwar-Sinthan Pass –
Khannabal National Highway 1B
253.53 8.15 4.51 5. Technology Mission for Wool
12.00 12.00 0.57 6. Development of Pashmina
8.00 8.00 --- 7. Traditional Handicraft development
42.40 42.40 2.07 8. Development of Sericulture & Silk Industries
10.06 2.26 0.88 9. Development of Wool (Tweed) and Woollen Design and Development Centre
10.00 10.00 -- 10. Integrated Project for development
of Kani Jamawar Shawls
5.0 5.0 -- 11. Setting up Weavers Service Centre
7.71 7.71 -- 12. Development of Agri export Zones
for apples and walnuts
121.38 119.36 0.72 13. Eco-Restoration of degraded catchments of Chenab, Jhelum and Shivaliks
100 100 3.32 14. Technology Mission for Horticulture
100 --- --- 15. Border Area Development
Programme Fund
500 184.85 76.87 16. Raising of India Reserve Battalions
one each in 2002-03 and 2003-04
26.00 13.00 3.25 17. Provision of Rs.25 crores @ Rs.5 crores per year for next 5 years for incentive schemes for Special Operation Group Personnel
25.00 25.00 --- 18. Provision of Rs.5 crores over 5 years for training/weaponary to J&K volunteer force.
5.00 5.00 Implemented 19. Increase in ex-gratia payment to next of kin of SPOs killed in action
against terrorists from
Rs.1.25 Lakh to 2 Lakh per person.
--- ---- Implemented 20. Provision of better weaponry to
Village Defence Committees (VDCs).
1.25 1.25 1.25 (Implemented) 21. Enhancement of financial assistance per family to be increased from Rs.2400/- per month to Rs.3000/-
per month for Kashmiri migrants,
with the same scale per member,
per month.
10.80 Crore per annum 10.80 Implemented 22. For assistance to Border Migrants, provision of free food grains to be increased from 9 Kg to 11 Kg per
head, per month
10.00 10.00 10.00 (Implemented) 23. Financial Assistance to Border Migrants to be increased from
Rs.200/- to Rs.400/- per person, per month subject to a limit of Rs.1600/- per family per month
--- --- Implemented 24. Increase in cash assistance for fodder from Rs.200/- per animal rearing family of Border migrants to
Rs.300/- per animal rearing family
per month
10.00 10.00 10.00 (Implemented) 25. Rs.10 crore for new tents & Common Civic amenities for Border migrants
10.00 10.00 10.00 (Implemented) 26 Rs.8 crores to be provided for Police
Welfare Funds of J&K Police for
year 2002
8.00 8.00 6.00 (Implemented)
Total
8,519.82 2,611.00 1,533.34 .
Jammu and Kashmir Package - II for Economic Development, Welfare, Relief and Security announced by Prime Minister at Srinagar on 19th April 2003 Status of implementation as on 31.7.2003
S.No.
Scheme/Programme
Status 1
One Lakh employment
and self employment opportunities in J&K
A Task Force was set up on 23rd May 2003 under
the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary. It has
submitted its report. This report has been
approved. MHA has been asked to make this
report operational.
Three categories have been identified for
employment generation as follows:
- Self Employment: 38,170
- Wage Employment: 45,180
- Regular Salaried employment: 16,650
Total financial involvement to provide One
Lakh employment will be Rs 3000 Crore.
This will be met mainly from Budget Support
(Rs 2700 Crore) and Bank credit
(Rs 300 Crore). Ministries and departments already
have approximately Rs 1900 Crore under
various schemes. Additional budgetary support of
about Rs 800 Crore would be provided over the
two-year period.
Sectors identified for this purpose include textiles,
roads, highways, education, tourism, small and
medium industrial units, IT and communications.
2
Tourism Revival Plan
Special committee has been formed under
the chairmanship of Secretary Tourism. Focus will
be on providing assistance to the shikarawalas,
houseboat owners as per their felt needs. Other
proposals from the State Govt will be expedited
at all levels.
3
Speedy completion of all
the viable on-going
power projects
Ministry of Power has taken meetings to firm up
sanction schedules of projects to be taken up by NHPC. These are as follows:
- Sewa II (120 MW) - Approved
- Bursar (1020 MW) – June 2004
- Uri II (280MW) – January 2004
- Pakal Dul (1000 MW)
- Nimo-Bazgo (60MW) and Chutak (18 MW) – Cost of generation Rs 7.15 per unit.
Baglihar 450 MW Project : Rs 1,600 Crore has
been spent by the State Government. Meetings
held in Ministries of Power and MHA. State has
agreed to forego 12% free power and defer
return on equity. Cost of power generation is
around Rs 2.50 per unit. Ministry of Power is tying
funds from Financial Institutions to complete
Phase I (450 MW) by Dec 2006.
4
Construction of 600m
Cable Stayed Basholi
bridge across river Ravi
Ministry of Defence (Border Roads Development
Board) has undertaken the project. DGBR has
proposed construction of Basholi bridge in 66
months starting from 15.6.2003. MOD is
trying to compress this time frame by at least one year.
5
Drinking water supply
in villages in Kandi area
of J&K
A Working Group has been constituted in the
Department of Drinking Water Supply in the
Ministry of Rural Development. It has finalised
plan for providing drinking water to 2284 habitations
and 1400 schools in the Kandi area at a cost of
Rs 175 Crore. Out of allocation of Rs 108.33 Crore in
2003-04 under ARWSP, Rs 54.16 Crore has been
released to Govt of J&K.
Rs 20 Crore additional allocation will be made in
the current year for Kandi area.
6
Setting up Community Information Centres (CIC)
in all blocks of J&K
EFC has approved the proposal of Ministry of IT
for setting up CICs in all the 119 blocks of J&K on
28th July 2003. Security issues raised by MHA and
MOD have been taken into consideration. Ministry
of IT approached Planning Commission and
Ministry of Finance for funds (approx Rs 50 Crore).
This scheme is expected to be implemented in two
years (2003-04 and 2004-05).
7
Establishment of more
Professional institutions, Kendriya Vidyalayas, etc.
and setting up a Committee
to improve the educational institutions in J&K.
A Committee has been set up with representation from
the Vice Chancellors of Universities of Jammu
and Kashmir and officers of the State Govt for
improving the functioning of educational institutions in J&K. The first meeting was held on 28.7.2003.
Final report will be submitted after thorough study by
the sub-committees.
10 new Kendriya Vidyalayas have been approved
by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).
Rs 45 Crore will be provided for building
construction in 3 years.
Govt of J&K has been provided Rs 9.71 Crore
for conducting vocational training in 38 courses.
8
Setting up a Committee
to comprehensively
address the problems
faced by Kasmiri Pandits.
A Nodal Committee in MHA has met the
representatives of Kashmiri Samiti and the All
India Kashmiri Samaj on 30.5.2003 and 3.6.2003.
Many other organizations are approaching MHA.
Chief Secretary, GoJ&K has been requested to
send suggestions so that a broad based brain
storming meeting could be arranged in MHA.
9
Telemedicine pilot project
in District hospitals of
Kargil, Kupwara, Poonch
and Doda.
Department of Space will complete the project
by September 2003.
10
Kashir Channel to be
made 24-hour channel
from 15th August 2003.
Kashir Channel has been made 24-hour channel from
15th August 2003.
Railways reviewing recruitment and training process to improve safety
Indian Railways is in the process of adopting multi-pronged strategies to further enhance the quality of its human resource especially those engaged in production and maintenance activities in order to ensure maximum safety in train operations. For this, the present recruitment and training system is being reviewed thoroughly.
Apart from raising the job eligibility standards for general and reserved category candidates a review of recruitment rules is underway for induction of officers and staff for multi-skilled jobs. The recent initiatives to reorganize the Railway Recruitment Board(RRBs) aimed at improving the quality of recruitment would be sustained. Gangmen and drivers above the age of 50 and upto 57 years would be given option to seek voluntary retirement and one of their wards given appointment, if eligible. A suitable computerized test programme for determining alertness, reaction time, stamina and ability to withstand frequent changes would be developed and standardized.
Training centres of all the Zonal Railways would be modernized spending an amount of Rs.220 crores. A central training cell composed of multi-disciplinary team would be created. Special emphasis would be laid on training of bridge engineers and supervisors on regular and continuous basis.
Locust situation
No gregarious locust activity has been noticed during surveys conducted by the Locust Warning Organisation in various localities of the Scheduled Desert Area of Gujarat and Rajasthan. However, solitary and localized population of locust may appear on a small scale in coming months, as ecological conditions are reported favourable in almost all the locust prone areas of Rajasthan and Gujarat, especially all along the Indo-Pak border areas.
Low to moderate incidence of Rice Grasshopper has been reported in isolated fields of some villages in the Jalore District of Rajasthan on Bajra and Gowar crops over an area of about 30 to 40 hectares.
33 sportsperson received Arjuna award from president
New Delhi: Indian president shri. A.PJ . Abdul Kalam awarded 33 sportsperson including cricketer Virender Sehwag and shooter Anjali Bhagwat with Arjuna awards today in a grand function. The president gave away the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards 2002 at the ceremonial function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Khel Ratna winners -- shooter Anjali Bhagwat and athlete K M Beenamol were the first to walk up to the President to collect their medal, a scroll of honour and a trophy amidst thunderous applause. The cash prize of Rs 5 lakh was split between Anjali and Beenamol but the duo said there were no hard feelings.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Vikram Verma and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Vijay Goel were present on the occasion. The Awardees are as follows:
RAJIV GANDHI KEHL RATNA AWARD FOR 2002
1. Ms. K.M. Beenamol Athletics
2. Ms. Anjali R. Bhagwat Shooting
DRONACHARYA AWARD FOR 2002
1. Ms Renu Kohli Athletics
2. Shri Jaswant Singh Athletics
3. Shri M.K. Kaushik Hockey
4. Shri E. Prasad Rao Kabaddi
5. Cdr. H.D. Motivala Yachting
ARJUNA AWARD FOR 2002
1. Ms. Anju B. George Athletics
2. Shri Alok Kumar Billiards & Snookers
3. Shri Md. Ali Qamar Boxing
4. Shri K. Sasikiran Chess
5. Shri I.M. Vijayan Football
6. Shri Shiv Kapur Golf
7. Shri Gagan Ait Singh Hockey (M)
8. Shri Ram Mehar Singh Kabaddi
9. Shri Anwer Sultan Shooting
10. Shri Suma Sidharth Shirur Shooting
11. Ms. Mantu Ghosh Table Tennis
12. Shri Ravikant Reddy Volleyball
13. Shri T. Muthu Weightlifting
DHYAN CHAND AWARD FOR 2003
1. Shri Ram Kumar basketball
2. Shri Dharma Singh Mann Hockey
3. Shri Charles Comelius Hockey
4. Shri Om Prakash Volleyball
5. Ms. Smita Shirole Yadav Rowing
MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD TROPHY FOR 2001-2002
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar.
Mulayam Singh Yadav returned to power as the CM of UP
Lucknow: The 63-year-old Samajwadi Party leader, shri. Mulayam Singh Yadav was sworn in as the chief minister of Uttarpradesh at the head of a coalition in a function attended by NDA Convener and Defence Minister George Fernandes, former Prime Minister Chandrashekar, state BJP leaders, his coalition partners, film stars Amitabh Bachhan, Jaya Prada, industrialist Anil Ambani and administered by state Governor Vishnukant Shastri on the banks of the Gomti river here. This is the third time Yadav has become Chief Minister,after a gap of eight years. None of the representatives of the supporting parties Congress, RLD, RKP, CPI-M, and BSP rebels, found a place in the Yadav ministry with the Congress still undecided on joining it. Mulayam Singh Yadav came to power for the first time in 1989 and later heading a coalition with BSP, which collapsed in 1995.
Attack on Akshardham temple case: 5 persons arrested
Ahmedabad: City Police Commissioner K R Kaushik told mediapersons that five persons were arrested from various parts of the city, in connection with militant attacks on Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar on september 24 last year.Thirty-two people, including three Security personnel, were killed in the militant attack. According to him, the conspiracy to attack Akshardham temple was hatched in Riyadh by militant outfits Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba and ISI after the post-Godhra riots.
House of Nepalese Finance minister burned down by Maoists
Kathmandu: Following the breakdown of peace talks between the Nepalese government and the Maoists, the rebels burned down the ancestral house of Finance Minister Prakash Chandra Lohani in Nuwakot district. According to home ministry sources, the security personnel guarding the house in Thansing village were chased away by the rebels, who hurled bombs at the 150-year-old building and set it afire, causing millions of rupees worth of damage at the time of midnight on Thursday. No one was injured in the incident. The Maoists on Friday announced a three-day nationwide general strike from September 18 to 20 to press their demands. Maoist leader Baburam Bhattarai said in a statement, that the strike was to press the government to create a national army by scrapping the Royal Nepal Army.
MoU signed between India and Australia
Melbourne: India and Australia on Friday signed an agreement in the field of telecommunication with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha representing Indian side and Australian Minister for Telecommunications Richard Alston on behalf of Australia on cooperation in the field of telecommunication. Speaking to the growing Indian community here on Thursday night, Sinha announced that a full-fledged Indian consulate will soon be opened in the city. The people of Indian origin have been asking for a consulate in this second largest city of Australia for some time now.
Foundation stone of Omakareshwar project to be laid on Saturday
Bhopal: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpyee will lay the foundation stone of 520 megwatt Omkareshwar Project of Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) on Saturday. The contract agreement for the Project has been signed between NHDC and M/s Jaiprakash-Voith Siemens Consortium in July. The work for the project has already commenced. The submergence caused by the project would affect a total of 30 villages.The project, would be executed at a fixed cost of Rs 1476.4 crores and is expected to generate 1166 million units annually. The project is expected to be completed in a span of 48 months.
Food grains released to Uttarpradesh under SGRY
Ministry of Rural Development has released 37236 tonnes of common wheat and 30741 tonnes of common rice as first installment of foodgrains to the 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh under Sampoorna Gramin Rojgar Yojana (SGRY). These districts are : Bareilly, Basti, Hathras, Muzaffar Nagar, Pratapgarh, Sultanpur, Bagpat, Bulandsahar, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur (Dehat), Mahoba, Maharajganj, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra.
The State Government is entitled to lift the foodgrains from June 2003 to 31st March 2004. The transportation cost for lifting the foodgrains will be borne by the State Government.
Prime Minister's press statement at Jammu
The following is the text of the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statement at a Press Conference at Jammu today:
"I attended two-days Inter-State Council meeting on 27th and 28th August, 2003 at Srinagar. It was attended by Chief Ministers and Union Ministers. During this Conference important issues relating to Inter State relations were discussed. During my visit to Jammu, I also met eminent citizens.
2. During my last two visits to Jammu & Kashmir in May, 2002 and April, 2003, I had announced various projects and programmes for economic development of the State. These are under various stages of implementation and the Government of India is closely monitoring these projects/programmes, (Latest status is circulated). These schemes are for development of road and rail communication, power sector and creation of employment opportunities in the State.
3. During my interaction with people here I found that there are additional requirements of new schemes and programmes which Government of India will help in implementation. These are as follows :-
Funds no problem in implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Dr.Sanjay Paswan
The Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Dr. Sanjay Paswan today assured that funds would not be a problem in the implementation of the Sarva Shiksha, the programme for universalisation of elementary education. He was addressing the editors of newspapers and magazines from all over the country who have assembled here for the Editors’ Conference on Social Sector Issues.
The Minister said that during the tenth Plan, an allocation of Rs. 17,000 crore has been made for SSA. As against Rs. 5443 crore approved last year to the States and Union Territories, a sum of Rs. 9374 crore has been approved this year uptill now. The Centre has, in fact, committed its support to States beyond the tenth Plan, he said.
Stressing that states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa where the number of out-of-school children is still high would have to work hard to universalize elementary education, the Minister also showed confidence that the goal of enrolling all children in 6-14 age group in school and ensuring that all children in this age group complete 5 years of primary education by 2007 and 8 years of education by 2010, would be achieved. Some states in this category earlier have made significant progress in the recent years, he said. SSA covers the entire country and addresses the needs of 19.2 crore children in 11 lakh habitations. 8.5 lakh existing primary and upper primary schools and 33 lakh existing teachers are being covered under the programme.
Dr. Paswan underlined the role of media and the non-governmental sector in this massive task. He said that while the government can provide the funds for schools, teachers, training etc to ensure that schools exist in the area, children go to school, teachers are available and impart quality education, every citizen of India has to come forward and contribute. He informed that under this programme, new schools are being opened in habitations which do not have schooling facilities, existing school's infrastructure is being strengthened by providing additional class rooms, toilets, drinking water, maintenance grant and school improvement grant. Additional teachers are being provided where required. To improve the quality of education the capacity of existing teachers is to be enhanced by intensive training, provision of grant for developing teaching-learning materials and development of an academic support structure. SSA has a special focus on girls and children of weaker sections. A number of initiatives, including free textbooks, target these children under the programme. SSA also seeks to provide computer education in rural areas also to bridge the digital divide. Government of India has taken a number of steps to improve teacher availability and teacher training programmes for elementary education sector.
Dr.Joshi suggests International Meet on Curriculum
The Minister for Human Resource Development and Science & Technology, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi has urged the NCERT to convene an international meet on educational curriculum. This is to discuss all aspects relating to education, especially for creating a human values based global society, peace-loving, non-violent and free of conflicts. This aim can be achieved only through education that is free from market forces and profit-motives. Dr. Joshi was speaking at a function organised to mark the 42nd Foundation Day of the NCERT. He also released a book on value education and another important book on "Fallacies in IHC Report". The books mark an important milestone in NCERT's mission to modernise school education and make it India-centric. The book on IHC Report gives a sound rebuttal to the Indian History Congress resolution passed at Chandigarh in December 2002, criticising NCERT's books on History and Social Science.
Dr. Joshi said, NCERT is a professional institution of repute and is always ready to accommodate legitimate criticism with a view to improving the quality of its books. It has sold over 4.5 crore books this year. The job done by NCERT over the years will herald a new dawn in the educational system in India, he said.
Describing the NCERT as an agent of educational change in India,. Dr. Joshi wondered why we should understand about us and our history and heritage through the western eyes. There are sections in the country which do not know much about India when we are going to get out of this western-web? Why so much opposition for change in curriculum for making it India-centric and projecting the reality? It is for us to decide what kind of education system we should have and the kind of society we want to build, Dr. Joshi averred.
Turning to western concept of education Dr. Joshi said it is skill based, market-oriented and lacks in value system. Education should be rather value based, job-creative and not job-oriented. Being literate alone is not enough, added Dr. Joshi.
The Director NCERT, Dr. R.S.Rajput vowed to take school education to greater heights of excellence. He said the changes made will go a long way in helping the out-of-school children and those not doing so well, as well as in successful implementation of the "Sarv Siksha Abhiyan."
ACC approves postings of Senior officers
Shri S.Y. Quraishi, IAS (HY:71) presently Director General, Doordarshan has been posted as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Steel in place of Shri Dhananjay Prasad Singh, IAS (UP:70). Shri Dhananjay Prasad Singh has been posted as Additional Secretary (Procurement), Ministry of Defense, by temporarily downgrading the vacant post of Special Secretary (Procurement).