No Enough Funds for Opening New Kendriya Vidyalayas: HRDM

HRD Minister M.M.Pallam Raju has stressed the priority on giving shape to new institutes. He, who spoke about opening of more Kendriya Vidyalayas across state revealed that there is no enough fund available for the 12th Five Year Plan.

The main priority is to give a proper shape to the 52 new higher educational institutions which were opened during the Eleventh Five Year Plan. They include 20 Central Universities, 7 new IIM's, 8 IIT's, 10 NIT's and more.

Pallam Raju who spoke to the media said "The 52 new institutes have not taken proper shape yet. In the 12th plan, we will consolidate these institutes started in the last five year plan. If funds are available, we would certainly consider opening a IIM in Odisha."

H further added "On opening of more Kendriya Vidyalayas in the state, enough funds are not available for the 12th five year plan. The moment there is some improvement in the fund position, priority will be given to educationally backward areas."

However, he informed that, between 2009 and 2013, the Union government has provided Rs 6,488.77 crore to Odisha under various schemes for school children. This included Rs 3,791.60 crores for Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rs 1,699.50 crores for a mid-day meal scheme, Rs 682.40 crores for Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan etc. The minister said, out of the total number of 92,337 teacher posts sanctioned under SSA in 2012-13, 79,936 teachers have been appointed, and steps are being taken to fill up the rest posts during the current year.

"Similarly, 8,946 primary schools have been opened in the state against the sanction of 9,843 schools and out of 11,321 upper primary schools sanctioned, 10,797 schools are already operational. The central government is also providing assistance for introduction of information communication technology in 6,000 schools in Odisha", he added.