Social sector seeks higher budget allocation for education

In pre-Budget consultations with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, they demanded that the government address the gaps in the financial and planning process that has led to consistent under spending in the education sector.
     
"Enhance the allocation in education in line with the Kothari Commission and National Education Policy recommendations of 6 percent of GDP," said a representative of the Right to Education Forum after the meeting.

"Current allocations have hovered in the vicinity of 3.4 percent which falls far short of this national and international benchmark," he added.

"In accordance with the recommendation of CABE Committee, enhance the allocation of elementary education by 1 percent to accommodate the cumulative gap in education. The allocation to the elementary education should be Rs 73,807 crore," the representative said.

They also demanded that the government should eradicate discrimination in allocation made in education.      

Besides, they added that disparities exist between different states, rural and urban areas and different types of schools within the education department.

 

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Arun Jaitley asks WB MPs to support GST, Coal auction for benefits of state

'TMC supported Goods and Services Tax (GST) in its election manifesto and now is the time to fulfill the promise to let the state benefit from it,'' Jaitley, while speaking at the West Bengal Global Business Summit at Kolkata, said.

Earlier in the day Jailtley, in a strong message to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the Union Minister said she has a responsibility to deliver on promises and create an environment to attract investments. "Madam Chief Minister, you have a mandate to rule the state, and therefore, you have the responsibility to deliver what was promised," Jaitley said, while assuring the state of all possible help for developmental activities.     

India should be a strong federation of states, he said, adding, "in all areas where the states want to prosper, we are here to fully support you."

Stressing on the need to attract investment, Jaitley said, "we have to create an environment where we do not merely attract investment but also promise profitable return on that investment will lead to greater investment."

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427 foreign bank account holders identified, says Arun Jaitley

Replying to a debate on black money in the Rajya Sabha, he said the government will "pro-actively chase" those having black money and will not rest till the last account is identified.
   
Bringing back black money stashed abroad is a procedure which will take time, he said while responding to attack by Opposition which questioned non-fulfillment of the poll promise of BJP leaders of getting the illicit money back in 100 days.
   
He, however, did not respond to the Opposition attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reportedly saying in the run up to elections that each person will get Rs 15-20 lakh if all the black money is brought back.
   
Members of Congress, Trinamool Congress, JD(U), Samajwadi Party and CPM, staged a walkout even before Jaitley could conclude his reply.
   
During the discussion in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, Congress alleged that BJP had "sold lies" and misled the nation for which the government should apologise.
   
Spelling out the steps being taken by the government, Jaitley referred to the HSBC list of 627 account holders, received by the government and said identity of 427 of them has been established. 250 of them have admitted to having accounts, making the government's task easier, he added.
   
Replying to opposition criticism, he said, "We have done more in 100 days than what other governments had done."
   
The confidentiality clause prevents disclosure of names of foreign account holders unless prosecution is launched against them in a court of law, he noted.

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