The number of illiterate people is more than one crore in Odisha. But the Chief Minister-led State literacy Mission, which was constituted way back in 2001, is yet to meet once.
This was revealed from the information furnished by School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra in the State Assembly in response to a question of BJP MlA Dilip Ray on Thursday.
According to information, while the State’s population as per 2011 Census stood at 4,19,74,218, of them 1,01,99,532 were illiterates they comprised 32,72,434 males and 69,27,098 females. To eradicate illiteracy, while the Centre had given a total of Rs 48.8 crore by end of the last year, the State Government has utilised only 41.73 crore during the last five years.
The State literacy Mission, which is headed by the Chief Minister and has 30 members, has not met since its inception in 2001. Efforts are now on to convene a meeting of the mission soon, the Minister said.
Similarly, the CM-headed 33-member State Health Mission, which ought to meet once every six months as per norms, has not met for years. This was revealed from information submitted by Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena in response to a question of Ray.
The Mission had met on May 19, 2015 for the last time, the Minister said.
In response to Ray’s question, Planning and Convergence Minister Usha Devi informed that the State Planning Board had last met on October 15, 2007. The Board which makes State plans and evaluate their execution has now one Vice-Chairman, an Advisor and an OSD. While the VC and the Advisor are enjoying status and facilities as Cabinet and State Minister rank Ministers, respectively, the OSD is getting facilities of a Special Secretary. Now 10 member posts are lying vacant, the Minister said.