MHRD asks state govts to utilize last years balance of Rs 6,200 crores for this academic year

Considering the health of the students and to provide adequate and nutritious food to them, the Union Minister announced a landmark decision regarding mid-day meals.

Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' along with Minister of State for HRD, Sanjay Dhotre interacted with Education Ministers and Education Secretaries of all the States through video conferencing today i.e. April 28.

While addressing the meeting Union Minister stated that the prevailing health emergencies due to the outbreak of COVID-19 are unfortunate, but it is time to act wisely and turn the situation into an opportunity by doing new experiments to ensure the safety and academic welfare of students.

While talking about how the central government and various state government altogether must focus on the welfare of 33 crore students of the country during these difficult times, Mr Pokhriyal revealed that under SamagraShiksha, relaxing the norms, the Government of India allowed the states to utilize the unused balance of the previous year which is around Rs. 6,200 crores and an Ad-hoc grant of Rs 4,450 crore is also being issued for the first quarter. 

The Minister requested states to immediately transfer the amount released under SamagraShiksha to the State Implementation Committee so that it can be utilized properly for recurring and non-recurring activities of this academic year (2020-21).

During the meeting, the Minister also informed that the Ministry of Home affairs relaxed the lockdown rules to open the bookstores so that students can avail books to continue their studies. The decision is taken upon the request of the Ministry of HRD regarding the availability of textbooks in the stores.

Mr. Pokhriyal also stated that apart from this, states can adopt the alternative academic calendar released by NCERT according to their local situation. He further added, “Also we have to prepare safety guidelines in case of opening of schools".

Considering the health of the students and to provide adequate and nutritious food to them, the Union Minister announced a landmark decision regarding mid-day meals. The minister stated mid-day meals will be provided amid summer break for which an additional expenditure of about 1,600 crores will be made. In addition, under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, an Ad-hoc grant of Rs 2,500 crore is being issued for the first quarter.

Read More:

• COVID-19 Lockdown: HRD Minister directs state governments to begin board exam evaluation process
• Promote CBSE Class 10, 12 students on basis of internal marks, Delhi asks Centre

• COVID-19 impact: Manipur Education Board approves promotion of class 11 students to class 12 without exams