The National literacy Mission (NlM) will no more pay for literacy and training programme to the States including Odisha due to acute financial crisis this fiscal.
In this regard, NlM Director Sanjukta Mudgal has written to the authorities of Jan Shiksha Sadhan Kendras and Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS) in all the States stating the Centre, which was to release the funds towards literacy and training programmes, will not sanction funds in the second phase this fiscal.
Already, the first phase of funds has been released to all the States for various literacy programmes across the country. Following the Union Government’s decision and negative response from NlM, the training programmes that are running under various literacy and skill development schemes are likely to be shut down in the State. While the Jan Siksha Sadhan Kendra runs literacy programme in the State, the Centre has divided it into two — A grade and B grade.
The A grade centres get Rs 1 crore grant per year and Rs 70 lakh is provided to the B grade centres like Odisha for various literacy programmes.
Currently, the Jan Siksha Sadhan Kendra is managing the Centre’s literacy programme in 19 districts of the State. Similarly, JSSs provide various trainings especially about stitching, computer and terracotta to youths in rural villages through skill development programme for self employment. The Centre provides `40 lakh to each JSS for running the literacy training programmes. Currently, 17 JSSs are working in the State.
While the Union Government is emphasising on Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana including several villages under the scheme, recently, Jan Sikhsha Sadhan Kendras have been assigned to make those villages illiteracy- free.
The Government has also provided sum for awareness programme in this connection.
However, with the cancellation of the funds, doubt has been raised on the operation of the Jan Sikhsha Sadhan Kendras in the State.