Kakinada, Dec 7th: State government is making arrangements for a female literacy drive from January 26 and authorities are working out modalities for its implementation on the state. In an attempt to improve the female literacy rate, the Center has come up with a scheme called 'Sakshara Bharat' where the Center will share 75 per cent of the total expenditure and the state 25 per cent. As part of the scheme, women will be taught to read and write and also trained in income-generating skills.

State government is doing the exercise to identify districts having a female literacy rate below 50 per cent as per the 2001 census and has identified 18 districts falling in this category. However though districts like East and West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur have female literacy levels beyond 50 per cent women in some pockets in these districts have low literacy levels. For instance in the Agency areas of the Godavari districts, literacy levels among tribal women are very poor. So there is a proposal to include such areas also in the program.

In addition there is a proposal where a learner will be given Rs 1,000 as honorarium if she/he is able to educate one woman and improve their literacy levels as per the norms. Sources disclosed that the Center is also planning to rope in voluntary agencies to train women in income generating skills for a short duration.