RTE infrastructure : HRD ministry to get Rs 2.31 lakh crore over 3 yrs

"The HRD minister has said that Rs 2,31,000 crore will be required for implementing RTE in the next three years for setting up schools, appointment of teachers and building of infrastructure. I said that the money will be provided," Mukherjee said at a seminar here.
Mukherjee's comments come against the backdrop of a government decision recently to embark upon a nationwide consultation process with stakeholders to overcome teething troubles in implementing the Right To Education (RTE) Act.

The first meeting will be held on August 14, in which all issues pertaining to implementation of the law will be discussed, HRD minister Kapil Sibal had told reporters here recently.

"There are many issues in implementation of the RTE law. We are meeting the principals and all the stakeholders on August 14 to find out the problems and discuss the way out," he had said.

Mukherjee also said at the seminar on 'Economic vision of Indian National Congress' here that the government would provide legal teeth to the Right to Health and Right to Food through a legal enactment.

He said providing such rights and budgetary support to implement those programmes were made possible because of the economic growth that India has achieved over the last few years.

"It was not possible in the Eighties. But now, I am confident to provide budgetary support for bringing in an all-inclusive growth," Mukherjee said.

The government was also determined to give 25 kilos of rice or wheat to the BPL families at a pre-determined price of Rs three per kilo irrespective of the market rates, he added.
Mukherjee said the Congress had always set the economic agenda of the country irrespective of its merits or demerits.