Saturday, October 8 2005 14:11 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chandigarh: Asserting that funds will not be a constraint if a programme is implemented with commitment, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Oct 8, 2005) said that the Central Government had revised the mid-day meal scheme with higher scales of help and introduced assistance for cooking the same for Government-run and aided primary schools.

Over eleven crore children would benefit from this programme, he said addressing the Congress Chief Ministers' conclave here.

The Government had also made provisions for mid-day meals during summers in drought-affected areas, he said.

The Prime Minister said that the Government had increased scholarship assistance to students, specially for those belonging to SC/ST and minority communities.

"Our investment in education through Sarv Siksha Abhiyan for universal elementary education has been backed by resources and the cess created for it," he said, adding, that funds under Prathmik Shiksha Kosh would be non-lapsable and receipts from the education cess would be available on a roller basis for financing elementary education and the mid-day meal scheme.

Hoping that the Chief Ministers will pay special attention to education, he said that the Government was committed to widen access and pursue excellence in education and provide humane and affordable health care.

"The increased financial allocations to Sarv Siksha Abhiyan, the modernization and reform of school and higher education and proposed scholarship programmes will address this challenge," he said.