June 8, 2015
Bengal striding ahead in higher education sector
During the first three years of the Trinamool Government, the spending by all departments has been 50 to 80% higher that the spending during the last three years of the Left Front Government.
This stupendous performance for three consecutive years was never achieved by the Left Front Government. The reason for this performance can be easily gauged by examining the money spent by the Trinamool Government during the last four financial years.
Higher plan expenditure
The plan expenditure during the last year of the Left Front Government, that is, 2010-11, was Rs 11,838 crore. The plan expenditure for 2015-16 has been pegged at Rs 49,507 crore, an increase of 4.18 times. The same for 2014-15 was 3.6 times more. Hence, it is obvious that the Trinamool Government is spending much more on various projects, and the results are there for all to see.
The highest amount to be spent during 2015-16, as per the plan expenditure numbers, would be in the education sector – 18.71% of the total expenditure. For panchayat and rural development, the spend has been pegged at 17.31% of the Budget.
Budget: Four-five times that of the Left Front
- For 2015-16, the expenditure in school, higher education and vocational education has been kept at Rs 9270,97,00,000. The amount spent under the same head during the last year of the Left Front Government (2010-11) was Rs 1885,54,00,000. Thus there is an increase of 4.92 times
- During 2014-15, the amount was Rs 7143,27,00,000, which is 3.8 times that of 2010-11
- Since the spending has been four to five times more, consequently, it can be conveniently assumed that the development in the relevant sector has also been four to five times more
Education: Achievements
The comparative quantitative achievements of the Trinamool Government and the Left Front Government in the education sector
- Universities: 13, from 1947-2011, and 13, from 2010-11 to January 2014) (6 state-aided and 7, private)
- ITI colleges: 80, from 1947-2011, and 43, from 2010-11 to January 2014) (92 more planned during 2015-16)
- Polytechnic colleges: 62, from 1947-2011, and 34, from 2010-11 to January 2014) (32 more planned during 2015-16)
- Government colleges: 36, from 1947-2011, and 40, from 2010-11 to January 2014
- Health Districts and district hospitals: This is also a concept introduced by the Trinamool Government – 8 of each
- Higher primary schools: 497, from 1947-2011, and 3008, from 2010-11 to January 2014
- Primary schools: 184, from 1947-2011, and more than 400, from 2010-11 to January 2014
- Model English schools: None earlier; 12, from 2010-11 to January 2014) (22 more planned during 2015-16)
