Executive Summary:
This document is a response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the release of funds to Kerala under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and STARS schemes. It outlines the process for fund allocation to States and UTs based on approved annual work plans and budget, contingent upon fulfilling conditions set by the Ministry of Finance and the Samagra Shiksha Framework. The document provides details of funds approved and released to Kerala in the last three financial years, emphasizing the State's role in implementing the scheme and complying with established guidelines.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Funding and Implementation:**
* Samagra Shiksha is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented in partnership with States and UTs.
* Financial assistance is provided for various components based on programmatic and financial norms.
* States and UTs prepare annual plans based on their needs and priorities, reflected in their Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB).
* Project Approval Board (PAB) appraises and approves plans in consultation with States and UTs.
* Funds are released based on fulfilment of conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Finance and the Samagra Shiksha Framework.
* **Funds Approved/Released to Kerala:**
* Rs. 855.90 crore approved for FY 2024-2025 for Kerala under Samagra Shiksha.
* Rs. 741.58 crore approved for FY 2025-2026 for Kerala under Samagra Shiksha.
* Funds released to Kerala under Samagra Shiksha and STARS:
* 2022-23: Samagra Shiksha - Rs. 178.16 crore; STARS - Rs. 107.03 crore
* 2023-24: Samagra Shiksha - Rs. 141.65 crore; STARS - Rs. 150.56 crore
* 2024-25: Samagra Shiksha - Rs. 0.00 crore; STARS - Rs. 203.73 crore
* **State/UT Responsibilities:**
* Education is in the concurrent list; most schools are under State/UT control.
* States/UTs play a pivotal role in conceptualization, implementation, and realization of schemes.
* It is the State/UT government's responsibility to implement the scheme and comply with guidelines.
Impact Analysis:
* **Government of Kerala:**
* Impact: Responsible for the effective implementation of Samagra Shiksha and STARS schemes within the state's educational system. The State is impacted by the level and timing of funding disbursed by the central government and responsible for managing the financial resources allocated for these programs.
* Action Required: Ensure timely preparation and submission of Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPB), compliance with the conditions set by the Ministry of Finance and the Samagra Shiksha Framework, and efficient utilization of funds for educational projects and programs.
* **Ministry of Education (Government of India):**
* Impact: Accountable for overseeing the implementation of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and STARS schemes nationwide. The ministry is responsible for appraising and approving the annual plans submitted by States and UTs, disbursing funds based on established norms and conditions, and ensuring the overall effectiveness of the programs.
* Action Required: Continue to appraise and approve annual plans, release funds to States/UTs upon fulfillment of conditions, and monitor the implementation of the schemes to achieve desired educational outcomes.
Key Entities Referenced
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: A centrally sponsored scheme for school education, implemented in partnership with States and Union Territories.
Kerala: A state in India, recipient of funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and STARS program.
STARS (Strengthening Teaching Learning and Results for States): A scheme related to education, alongside Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, for which funds are allocated to states like Kerala.
Ministry of Education: The government ministry responsible for education initiatives and fund disbursement.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding withheld funds was raised.
Constitution: The fundamental law of India, which places education in the concurrent list.
Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB): Plans prepared by States and UTs reflecting their requirements and priorities under Samagra Shiksha.
Project Approval Board (PAB): The board responsible for appraising and approving the annual plans in consultation with the States and UTs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2524
ANSWERED ON 04/08/2025
Withheld Share under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
2524. Shri N K Premachandran:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has not released the funds to Kerala under Samagra Shiksha
Kerala (SSK) and STARS, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(b) the details regarding the total Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) arrears payable to Kerala
and the action taken to disburse the same to the State;
(c) whether the Government has imposed new conditions for disbursement of SSA Fund, if
so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government is aware that the implementation of various projects and
programmes in Educational sector in Kerala are facing financial crisis due to delay in
disbursement of funds;
(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
(f) whether the Government proposes to resolve the delay in infrastructure initiatives in
Kerala Educational system due to delay in disbursement of funds; and
(g) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) to (g): Education is in the concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the
schools are under the domain of respective State and UT Governments. The Centrally
Sponsored Scheme of Samagra Shiksha is implemented in partnership with all the States and
UTs. Financial assistance is provided to all States and UTs for various components for
implementation of the interventions under Samagra Shiksha as per norms. Accordingly, the
annual plans under Samagra Shiksha are prepared by the States and UTs based on their
requirements and priority and this is reflected in their respective Annual Work Plan and
Budget (AWP&B). These plans are then appraised and approved/estimated by Project
Approval Board (PAB) in consultation with the States and UTs as per the programmatic and
financial norms of the scheme. The funds are released to the States/UTs based on the
fulfilment of conditions prescribed by Ministry of Finance and Samagra Shiksha Framework.An amount of Rs. 855.90 crore and Rs. 741.58 crore has been approved for FY: 2024-
2025 and FY: 2025-26 respectively for Kerala under Samagra Shiksha. Funds released to the
State of Kerala in last 3 years under Samagra Shiksha and STARS (Strengthening Teaching-
Learning and Results for States) scheme is as under:
(Rs. in Cr.)
Year
Samagra Shiksha
STARS
2022-23 178.16 107.03
2023-24 141.65 150.56
2024-25 0.00 203.73
Total 319.81 461.32
Education is a subject in the concurrent list of the Constitution, majority of the
schools are under the administrative control of the State Governments and UT
Administrations. The States/UTs play pivotal role in conceptualization, implementation and
realization of such schemes at the grass root level. It is the onus of the State/UT government
to implement the Scheme and comply with the provision of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
and guidelines of Ministry of Finance.
***