MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) A statement indicating the current literacy rate in the country, State/gender-wise as per the 2011 Census, is enclosed as Annexure-I.
(b) No Madam. However, only rural areas in educationally backward districts (districts, including new districts carved out of erstwhile districts, that had adult female literacy rate of 50 per cent or below, as per 2011 Census), besides left-wing extremism affected districts, irrespective of their literacy rate, are eligible for coverage under Saakshar Bharat, a centrally sponsored scheme.
(c) & (d) No Madam.
(e) The Government has enacted The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and launched Saakshar Bharat. The former, supported by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, covers children aged 6-14 years and the latter covers persons aged 15 years and above. Besides, the Mid-day-Meal Scheme is another important programme of the Government that aims to raise the literacy level.
