Freedom of speech

Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojna: The 2001 scheme for providing adequate shelter and sanitation (Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan) for urban slum-dwellers living below poverty line is headed for mid-course correction as states are not pumping in their 50 per cent share. Annual targets have been surpassed, with 2,46,035 dwelling units built since 2002. But that was because funds were re-allocated to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka which submitted more proposals. To help out poor states, Centre plans to raise its contribution to 75 per cent, with up to 90 per cent for Northeastern and hilly areas.

Income Insurance Scheme for Farmers: Announced in 1998, a pilot scheme was finally introduced for 15 districts in 2003 to shield farmers against fluctuating global prices apart from crop cover under the National Crop Insurance Scheme. The growers were assured the difference between the average price and the lower market price in a particular year. The Centre was to pay 75 per cent of the premium. The NDA government had announced it would expand it to 100 districts. But the new Government says they are ‘‘reviewing the scheme’’ before deciding on its fate.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna: Launched on Vajpayee’s birthday in 2000, the project to connect villages with 500-plus population is in the dirt track because of political meddling. Multilateral agencies are unwilling to lend money unless roads are identified and implemented objectively. Speed-breakers are the MPs who want their favourite patch to be connected through their favourite contractor. Lagging 50 per cent behind, the Ministry of Rural Development prefers to highlight approvals than completions as its achievement.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Though Vajpayee made the pledge in 2000, the programme was chalked out in detail only in late 2001. And then, some preliminary budgetary allocation was possible in 2002-03 financial year. It really got going in 2003-04 with the Central funds made available during the year mounting to a little over Rs 3,000 crore. With the promise of additional funds this fiscal, the total Central involvement this year may go up to Rs 6,000 crore.

Free Education for Women till Graduation: This programme announced in 2000 is yet to take off. There has been a delayed start, with the Planning Commission taking longer than usual in deciding the quantum of Central involvement. The HRD Ministry also started planning quite late. The Elementary Education Department has worked separately and made ready a National Programme for the Education of the Girl Child. But NPEGC takes care of the problem only till upper primary level. The Higher Education Department is yet to complete their part of the plan.

Akshaypatra (mid-day meal scheme): Announced in 2003, this is primarily the cooked mid-day meal scheme which both the Centre and the states are trying to implement under pressure from the Supreme Court. Several deadlines have come and gone. A few states, especially UP and Bihar, have really not been paying attention to the SC orders till recently.