1,170 primary schools in Punjab running with single teacher

Hindustan Times, Chandigarh | ByChitleen K Sethi, Chandigarh

Mar 30, 2017 10:22 AM IST

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The comptroller and auditor general’s performance audit of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Punjab, has found that from 2011-2016, over Rs 1,350 crore meant for the implementation of the scheme was not released while at least Rs15 crore was spent in excess for purchasing uniforms and books. It also revealed that 1,170 primary schools were running with a single teacher in the state.

The comptroller and auditor general’s performance audit of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Punjab, has found that from 2011-2016, over Rs 1,350 crore meant for the implementation of the scheme was not released while at least Rs15 crore was spent in excess for purchasing uniforms and books. It also revealed that 1,170 primary schools were running with a single teacher in the state.

The CAG has pointed out that a sum of Rs 1,350 crore was not released for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan from 2011 to 2016.(HT Representative Image)

The report, tabled in the state assembly on Wednesday, also points out that there was “lack of planning and deficiencies in both financial management and execution of the programme that undermined achievement of its objectives”.

The report states that of the Rs1,362 crore funds not released for the scheme, the Centre was to contribute Rs 850 crore, Punjab government Rs 450 crore and the 13th Finance Commission Rs 50 crore.

HEALTH CENTRES ILL-EQUIPPED

The performance audit of the National Rural Health Mission from 2011-2016 states that health centres in Punjab were facing shortage of facilities like ultrasound, blood storage, safe abortion and prescribed drugs as well as of medical and paramedical staff even as funds remain unutilised. Targets fixed for reproductive and child health care and maternal mortality rate could not be achieved though the targets for infant-mortality rate and total-fertility rate were largely achieved.

Pointing to “bungling” of funds, the report adds that only a set of uniform was provided to the students against two even as excess amount was spent on purchasing them. Another Rs 6.76 crore was spent extra on purchase of books against the norms fixed by the ministry of human resources and development.

The government took one-and-half-year to notify the state right to education rules due to which it missed out on over Rs 110 crore in 2011-12.

Also, the report noted that the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights created under the RTE held no meeting in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and only met only once in 2013-14.

BOGUS BILLS GENERATED IN WORLD KABADDI CUP!

Bogus bills during World Kabaddi Cup! The performance audit report of Punjab State Sports Council has pointed out instances of payments against bogus bills during the World Cup Kabaddi tournament. Rs 1.78 crore was spent during the tournaments in contravention of the financial rules and Rs 2 lakh was disbursed on bogus bills for transport services during the tournament, states the CAG report.

The report adds that the state failed to deploy teachers to cater to over 18,000 children suffering from various disabilities, as many as 1,170 primary schools were running with single teacher and 572 upper primary schools with less than three teachers.

The report also highlighted the diminishing number of students in government and aided schools.

From 20.7 lakh students in Classes 1 to 8 in 2011-12, the number has declined to 8.8 lakh in 2015-16. On the other hand, the enrolment in private schools increased from 19.63 lakh to 20.83 lakh during the same period.