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Budget 2005-06

Speech of

P. Chidambaram

Minister of Finance

February 28, 2005

PART-A

Mid-day Meal Scheme

18.       The Mid-day Meal Scheme for children has made a promising start throughout the country.  11 crore children are covered today.  The Central Governemnt is now providing the cost of food grains as well as the conversion cost at the rate of Re.1 per child.  The allocation in BE 2004-05 was Rs.1,675 crore.  I propose to increase the allocation for the next year to Rs.3,010 crore.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

19.       The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme is the cornerstone of the Government’s intervention in basic education for all children.  Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was allocated Rs.3,057 crore in the Budget Estimates for 2004-05.  During the course of the year, I enhanced the allocation to Rs.4,754 crore.  A non-lapsable fund called “Prarambhik Shiksha Kosh” has been created for funding this programme.  I propose to increase the allocation to Rs.7,156 crore in 2005-06.

Minorities

27.       A certain percentage of new schools that will be opened under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan as well as the Kasturba Balika Vidyalaya Scheme will be located in districts or blocks having a substantial minority population.  Likewise, a certain proportion of new anganwadi centers will be located in blocks or villages which have a substantial concentration of minorities.