RMSA chokes under fund constraints
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 21 2012: Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) which was introduced by the Government of India in 2009-10 has been put into serious jeopardy as the necessary funds could not be released in time.

RMSA funds from the year 2009-10 to 2011-12 allocated to different States have not been released to the requisite amount thereby severely impeding proper implementation of the project.

An official source informed that the programme was implemented in the State since 2009-10 .

In accordance with the sanctions made by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, 44 Junior High Schools were upgraded to High Schools along with construction of buildings for the newly upgraded schools.

With due permission of the Ministry, 23 Junior High Schools were upgraded to High Schools in 2010-11 and another 49 Junior High Schools were upgraded to High Schools in 2011-12 .

For construction of building for schools upgraded to the level of High Schools, HRD Ministry sanctioned Rs 7662.58 lakhs in 2009-10, Rs 3354.09 lakhs in 2010-11 and Rs 2538.21 in the first phase of 2011-12 followed by another Rs 2629.27 lakhs in the second phase.

Out of the total sanctioned amount, Rs 3525.60 lakhs for 2009-10, Rs 1555.70 lakhs for 2010-11 and Rs 1361.63 lakhs (out of the amount sanctioned in first phase) for 2011-12 have not been released yet.

For the amount sanctioned in the second phase of 2011-12, not a single rupee has been released so far.

The task for construction of school buildings was entrusted to the Engineering Cell of Education Department and Manipur Development Society by the RMSA governing council of which the Chief Minister is the chairman and the Chief Secretary member secretary.

Works such as construction of additional class rooms, toilets etc, of which estimated costs are less than Rs one lakh are directly implemented by school management and development committees.

It is reported that most of the construction works executed by Education Department's Engineering Cell and MDS have been completed.

Though some buildings have been fully completed, no hand over or take over certificates have been issued as the final bills have not been released due to non-release of funds by the Ministry.

Between 2009-10 and 2011-12, altogether 116 schools have been upgraded to the level of High Schools.

But it is doubtful if the new buildings can be commissioned from the current academic session as the due bills have not been paid in addition to many backlog bills.

Taking serious note of the adverse impacts caused by non-release of pending funds on implementation of RMSA programme, the Chief Secretary submitted a representation to the Secretary, Department of SE &L, Ministry of Human Resource Development on February 20, added the source.

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