ASSAM TO GET RS 1000 CRORE UNDER SSA

Guwahati, August 10, 2006

The Government of India is planning to spend Rs 17,000 crore for the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) in the year 2006-07 and out this about Rs 1000 crore will be spent in the state of Assam.

Addressing the PIB organized Public Information Campaign on the SSA with Universalised Mid-Day Meal Programme at Uparhali, Mirza, in Kamrup District today, the Deputy Secretary of the Union Human Resources Development (HRD) ministry, Sri P Sukumar informed that Assam has plans to construct 35000 additional classrooms in different schools with the SSA fund.

Assam Education Minister Sri Ripon Bora informed that Rs 600 crore would be spent during the current fiscal to improve infrastructure in schools through construction of rooms, toilets etc.

He informed that depending on the actual requirement, each of the schools would be granted Rs 2 to 6 lakh at the rate of Rs 2 lakh for construction of one room. The money would be released by September this year.

Meanwhile, the Government of Assam was taking steps to increase the ratio of teacher and students to the prescribed standard of one teacher per 40 students. The minister said that survey had already been completed for the purpose.

He further informed that facilities for sanitation and drinking water would be provided in every school by March 2007 under the SSA in the state.

The State Mission Director for the SSA, Sri Protik Hazela informed that the SSA was aimed at providing free education and the associated Mid-day Meal Programme was provided to check drop outs.

The official informed that 13,400 school rooms were constructed in Assam under the SSA at a cost of Rs 1.87 crore in the last four years. Every school is given Rs 7000 per year for maintenance and repair works under the SSA.

“The Government of India is expected to spend another Rs 700 crore in Assam during the next four years to strengthen school infrastructure,” he informed.

Sri Hazela informed that the state spent Rs 777.9 crore under the SSA during 2001-02 to 2005-06. This year the state plans to spend Rs 1040. 13 crore and a detail proposal in this regard has been submitted to the Central Government to provide money under the SSA.

The state has received Rs 300 crore so far this year under the SSA. This year Assam is demanding a huge amount as it plans to cover tea garden areas under the SSA.

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PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON ‘BHARAT NIRMAN PROGRAMME’

Guwahati, August 10, 2006.

In course of 5-day Public Information Campaign on Bharat Nirman Programmes, the Directorate of Field Publicity, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India, Guwahati organized a day long special programme on the theme of National Rural Health Mission, National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Right to Information Act and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan with Mid Day Meal programme at Sontoli under Chayani Borduar Development Block on August 9, 2006 in coordination with Press Information Bureau, Guwahati and Youth Development Society, Mirza. Photo exhibition, healthy baby competition, seminar etc. were organized in this connection. In Healthy baby competition a large number of babies participated and four successful babies were awarded attractive prizes with merit certificate. The seminar organized in this connection were chaired by Shri Lalit Nath, President, School Managing Committee, Sontola Prathamik Vidyalaya. Other speakers who attended the seminar were Dr. Kamal Chandra Das, SDM & HO, Uparhali PHC, Sri Hem Chandra Kalita, CRCC, CRC, Lahorighat, Sarva Shiksha Mission, Sri Ranjit Mali, President, Village Education Committee, Sontola, Miss Namita Kalita, Social worker and others. All the speakers explained the subjects of the programme to make the people aware of the theme. The Chairperson Shri Lalit Nath in his speech gave stress on the importance of such programmes in their areas and appreciated the Directorate of Field Publicity for organizing such programmes in their villages which helps the village people to know about different welfare schemes of the government.

Earlier, Sri P.R.Roy of DFP, Guwahati welcomed the involvement of people in the programme and explained the aim and objective of the programme.

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PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY DFP, NAGAON UNIT

Guwahati, August 10, 2006.

As part of the Public Information Campaign (PIC), on Bharat Nirman programmes organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Nagaon Unit of Directorate of Field Publicity, Govt. of India, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in close coordination with Four ‘H’ Centre, (NGO), Dumunichoki, Kamrup Assam, organized a public rally at Kolongpar under Dimoria Development Block, Kamrup, Assam on 8th August, 2006. The rally was flagged off by Shri Pradip Dutta, Secretary, Kolongpar Bazar Committee. Various organizations like Hohora Anchalik Mahila Suraksha Samiti, Hohora Anchalik College, Hohora High School and other local organizations and villagers actively participated.

A public meeting was held at Hohora Anchalik Panchayat Community Hall which elaborately discussed about the campaign of Bharat Nirman Programme. Speaking on the occasion Dr. R.K. Borkotoky, Medical and Health officer, Sonapur PHC as resource person urged upon the people to follow the aim and object of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and appealed to the mothers group to extend their hands for implementing the health schemes in the rural areas. He stressed the need of cleanliness and use of safe drinking waster to protect themselves from various ailments.

Shri Kameswar Deka, in the presidential address appealed to all for their active participation in such Govt. programmes and thanked the DFP for holding such awareness programmes for the benefit of rural people.

Besides, photographic exhibition, display and distribution of publicity materials, oral communications, filmshow etc. were the main attraction of the programme.

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