School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra on Wednesday urged Union Human Resources Development Minister Smirti Irani to provide more funds to the State under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
Mishra during a meeting with Irani in New Delhi discussed various issues related to education in the State. School and Mass Education Secretary Usha Padhee participated in the discussion.
According to official sources, Mishra urged Irani to raise the financial assistance under the SSA from 65 per cent to 75 per cent for the State.
He requested the HRD Minister to expedite disbursement of fund allocated to the State by 13th Finance Commission for the current fiscal and Rs204 crore for 2012-13.
Mishra urged Irani to set up an extension counter of the Centre of the National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) at Bhubaneswar. He said the State Government would provide all the support for setting up the varsity in the State capital.
Besides, he also urged the Union HRD Minister to provide Rs10.88 crore under the IDMI Scheme for modernisation of Madrasas in the State.
Other demands placed before Irani include Rs1500 crore for mid-day meal, construction of dining halls and supply of lPG in 47,755 schools under the mid-day meal (MDM) scheme.
On the other hand, the Union Minister assured that she would consider State’s demand sympathetically and take immediate steps to ensure integrated development in mass education sector of the State.