Where are the schools I sanctioned, Joshi asks Mulayam Singh Yadav

Eager that his pet programme, Sarva Shikha Abhiyan (SSA), is implemented in right earnest in his home state, Uttar Pradesh, Union Human Reso...

Eager that his pet programme, Sarva Shikha Abhiyan (SSA), is implemented in right earnest in his home state, Uttar Pradesh, Union Human Resource Development Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi shot off a letter to the state’s new chief minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav last week.

This is the second time this year that Joshi has taken up the issue of tardy implementation of the SSA in UP with the state government. A few months ago, he had sent a stern letter to the then chief minister, Mayawati, complaining that the project was not being treated with the degree of seriousness it deserved. Joshi had even summoned the education minister of the earlier BSP-BJP government and explained to him that Uttar Pradesh could no longer afford to lag behind other states.

Joshi’s letter to Mulayam is polite but firm. It is understandable that the minister is keen to ensure his home state does not let him down. In an election year, his critics can launch a political attack on him for failing to deliver the goods in UP. And no other state chief minister has received consecutive missives on his or her lackadaisical approach to the SSA from the HRD minister.

Story continues below this ad

In the letter, Joshi has gone to the extent of citing the exact number of classrooms and school toilets that need to be built in the state. He has begun by explaining the objectives of the project and its financial implications to the chief minister. The Centre will bear 75 per cent of the costs during the ongoing Five Year Plan period and subsequently the share of the Centre and the states will be 50:50. Joshi has provided the grim details of the state of primary education in UP to Yadav. He has reminded him that at present there are almost 43 lakh children in the state in the age group of six to 14, who are not attending school. He has pointed out that the new SP-led coalition government would have to spend not just Rs 218 crore provided this year but also the the Rs 56 crore that was not utilized by the Mayawati government last year.

Joshi has asked Yadav, ‘‘I request you to make this possible by giving the necessary directions to those, who would implement the programme in your state.’’

us india trade talks, us india trade negotiations, us india tariffs, us india trade relations, trump modi trade talks, india us commerce ministry, us tariffs on india, india exporters relief package, us india economic relations, india us trade barriers, us india trade deal, india us trade meeting, rajesh agarwal commerce ministry, india us trade dispute, india us bilateral trade

Trade talks ‘positive’, govt says will intensify efforts to close US deal early

Business5 hr ago

India and the US have resumed trade negotiations after the US imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. The sixth round of talks will focus on recognising India's red lines and possibly increasing energy purchases from the US. Other topics include easing patent rules, data flows, and giving US firms procurement access.

View all shorts

Live Blog