In-principle approval to 3 Sainik schools in MP, Odisha, AP

Updated on: Thursday, December 01, 2011

Government has given an 'in- principle' approval to a request by three state governments to open new Sainik Schools and has asked them to transfer funds, build basic infrastructure and sign the Memorandum of Agreement, the Defence Ministry told the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply to a question in the House on Sainik Schools, Defence Minister A K Antony said "proposals have been received from governments of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh for setting up new Sainik Schools in Sambalpur, Sagar and Chitttoor districts respectively."

After site inspection by officers of the Defence Ministry, in-principle approval has been accorded for setting up new Sainik Schools in these states, he said.

"The state governments have been requested to transfer land, build up basic infrastructure and sign the Memorandums of Agreement," Antony said.

Replying to a query on review of performance of Sainik Schools, he said there has been an upward trend in terms of students from these schools joining the National Defence Academy.

"The Sainik Schools Society reviews the working and performance of Sainik Schools in respect of academic results and NDA intake as well as infrastructural facilities. There is an upward trend in respect of the academic as well as NDA results," Antony said.

The Minister said that to improve the standard of teaching in these schools, a programme of in-service training to teachers and administrative staff is being implemented with the assistance of various services and professional institutions such as the NCERT.

For cadets, Service Selection Board (SSB)-oriented training is being provided to them by using professional resource in these schools.

The Ministry is also running an empowerment programme for Principals of Sainik Schools, conducted by CBSE in collaboration with Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) and National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA).

At present, there are 24 Sainik Schools in the country.

Replying to a question on No Objection Certificate (NOC) to Defence land, Antony said "except for Srinagar, no other case of NOC for defence land has come to the notice during the last four years. To get the matter thoroughly investigated and fix responsibility, government has entrusted the inquiry to CBI."

After conducting a preliminary inquiry in the matter, it was found that prima-facie there have been irregularities in the issue of NOCs which may have wider implications, he said.

Answering a query on turnover of CSD canteens, he said, as per laid down policy, 50 per cent of total profits earned by CSD is deposited into Consolidated Fund of India (CFI). The remaining 50 per cent is distributed to various beneficiaries as determined by the competent authority."

As per policy in vogue, after deduction of regular and adhoc allocations, the balance is allocated to Army, Air Force and Navy in the ratio of 85:10:5, he said.

In 2009-10, CSD earned a total revenue of Rs 226.53 crore while the figure for 2008-09 was Rs 203.69 crore.

In-principle approval to 3 Sainik schools in MP, Odisha, AP

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