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No state has approached the Centre with any proposal to avail funds under the Rs 25,000- crore Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a scheme for upgrading higher education infrastructure.
"This is a very good programme for states as they can improve their existing higher education infrastructure and convert those into excellent studies centres. But we have not received any proposal so far under the RUSA," Planning Minister Rajeev Shukla told PTI.
The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet in October last year. The government has decided to provide Rs 25,000 crore under the scheme during the 12th Plan period (2012-17).
The funding is linked to certain key academic, administrative and governance reforms.
The scheme is designed keeping in view that with over 96% of the students in the country are enrolled in the state higher education system (both public and private).
The funding is provided in the ratio of 90:10 for North-Eastern States & Jammu & Kashmir, 75:25 for other special category states (Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) and 65:35 for other states and UTs.
The funding under the RUSA is norm-based and future grants are performance-based and outcome dependent. The commitment by states and institution to certain academic, administrative and governance reform is a precondition for receiving funding under RUSA.
However the scheme is limited to state-run colleges and government-aided colleges only. The scheme is not available for private colleges. Moreover, the proposal for new universities under the scheme in not supported.
RUSA provides for upgrading infrastructure like laboratories, libraries, equipment, toilets, hostels and academic buildings. However fund for residences, guest houses and offices are generally not provided under the scheme.
