Association picks flaw in SSA fund usage
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 14 2013: All Manipur School Management and Development Committee Association convened a general body meeting here today to discuss utilization of Rs.283.4177 crores meant for civil works under Sarva Sikshya Abhiyan (SSA) in the State.

A release of the Association said that the funds allocated for SSA from the Ministry of Human Resource Development have remained unutilized till date due to political interference.

The guidelines and norms of SSA formulated by the Parliament have been violated totally by the State Government.

The state authorities have recently issued a notification regarding deposition of SSA fund at the Engineering Wing of the state Education Department, which is in total violation of the SSA norms, it contended.

Normally, all basic set-ups under SSA including staffing pattern, identification and earmarking of funds are duly approved by the Project Approval Board (PAB) under MHRD based on intensive and systematic analysis by the state Education Department.

However, the state authorities are acting against all these prescribed norms just for the benefits of some individuals rather benefitting the children under the Right to Education Act, the Association contended.

The Association further pointed out that the State Government had even tried to award a contract to a Bangalore-based firm for supply of clothing items for SSA which is again in violation of the prescribed norms.

It is mandatory all over India for the Education Minister of the State to head the General Council of SSA and RMSA, but the same is not followed in the State.

Students, parents, guardians and members of social organizations should join hands to check rampant corruption in SSA and save the future of children, the Association appealed.

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