Rs 200 cr sought from Centre for restoration of damaged schools
Education Minister Rohit Thakur today sought Rs 200 crore from the Central Government for the restoration of school buildings that were damaged in the rain calamity in 2023 and a disaster contingency plan to ensure disaster-resilient educational infrastructure. Besides, he also sought Rs 62.92 crore during a meeting with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi for the completion of the construction of Atal Adarsh Vidyalayas in the state.
Rohit also sought an enhanced honorarium for cooks engaged in the Central Government’s Midday Meal Scheme in government schools in the state. He told the Union Minister that the current honorarium of Rs 1,000 fixed for cooks engaged under the scheme was way lower than the market rate. “It’s difficult to get good cooks at such a low honorarium. The state is offering a salary of Rs 4,500. The Central Government should consider covering 90 per cent of the salary, which amounts to Rs 4,150, to ensure the availability of skilled cooks and quality diet under the scheme,” he added.
Rohit said that rising food costs and limited dietary diversity in the meals offered under the scheme was impacting nutritional intake of the students. “The Central Government should sanction 5 per cent of the flexi funds, amounting to Rs 5.72 crore, from the Annual Work Plan and Budget to further enhance the state’s initiative of providing egg and fruit in the meal,” he added.
The other major issue Rohit took up with the Union Minister was the establishment of a regional institute of education in the state for teachers’ training, curriculum development and research. He urged Pradhan to open new Kendriya Vidyalayas in the state in view of the tough terrain and connectivity issues.
He urged the Union Minister to release pending Rs 59.5 crore of the Rs 310 crore grant sanctioned to the state under the Pradhan Mantri Uchhatar Shiksha Abhiyan for improve the quality of higher education. The state has already received Rs 250.50 crore as part of the grant.
