MHRD sets preconditions for release of funds to JK
Annoyed with the dismal performance of the J&K state’s school education department, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has set conditions for the release of funds for the year 2017-18 under centrally sponsored scheme-Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).
The Union MHRD has approved an amount of Rs 516.42 crore to the J&K state under RMSA, however the state was asked that the release of funds will follow after it submits the child wise data along with the Aadhar number of students by March 31.
However, the officials in J&K RMSA said the exercise was yet to be completed given the delay by authorities to provide Aadhar card to every house hold.
“We were given relaxation in this exercise as Aadhar card has not been provided to every household in J&K state. So it was not possible for us to complete the process in March,” an official in project directorate of RMSA said.
Pertinently, MHRD in the recent Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting convened on March 10 for J&K state in New Delhi approved an amount of Rs 74.03 Cr non-recurring grants, Rs 188.89 Cr as recurring grants and Rs 253.49 Cr as spill-over amount.
“The spill over amount was piled over the past years due to non-execution of civil works,” an official said.
The amount was released in a PAB meeting convened for allocation of budget and plan for approval of Annual Work Plan and Budget 2017-18 for the J&K state. The meeting was chaired by Joint Secretary (JS), School Education (MHRD).
Meanwhile, the state government has been asked to give a written commitment for meeting its share of the converged RMSA scheme of the budget approved according to the prescribed sharing pattern.
“The budget provision may also be communicated to the ministry invariably after presentation of the state budget,” read the minutes of the PAB meeting.
The union Ministry has asked the state government to constitute SMDC’s in all the schools who will open Bank accounts to take care of school grants, civil works and other such expenditure.
“The first instalment would be released based on provisional Utilisation Certificate for 2016-17 and subject to release of proportionate state share corresponding to Government of India share released during the previous financial year,” read the minutes.
The union MHRD has decided to release second instalment of funds only after the proportionate instalment of J&K state share is released and at least 50 percent expenditure against the available funds is incurred
“The release of funds will follow only after state submits UC and audit report of funds released in the year 2025-16,” read the minutes of the meeting.
KV Correspondent
