The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, announced here today the creation of a non-lapsable fund for financing elementary education, including Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and the mid-day meal scheme. The fund titled "Prathmik Shiksha Kosh" will be financed from the receipts of the Education Cess levied in the Union Budget 2004-05.

Dr Singh said that the government had already announced an "unprecedented increase in allocations for elementary education" of Rs 3,106 crore more than the allocation last financial year.

Dr Singh called for an informed national debate on the draft National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, drafted by the National Advisory Council (NAC). He said the draft bill has been referred to the Planning Commission and invited state governments and non-governmental organizations to comment on it. The bill will be introduced in the Parliament in the Winter Session.

The government will also introduce in the Winter Session of Parliament a bill to seek amendments to the Right to Information Act, based on suggestions put forth by the NAC.