SHILLONG: The Tribal Affairs Ministry will set up 36 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Meghalaya at a cost of Rs 20 crore each to ensure quality education to scheduled tribe students at the middle and the high levels.
Union minister Jual Oram, who was in the city on Saturday for the inauguration of Wollaston Annexe of St Anthony’s College, said construction of two Eklavya schools has already started at Samanda in East Garo Hills and Umling in Ri Bhoi.
The residential schools are set up in states and union territories with grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution. There are 192 such schools across the country now and the Centre plans to build such schools in every block of the country that has a tribal population of more than 20,000.
Oram said with the new schools, Meghalaya should attract students from outside.
“The concept of residential schools came up since tribal students on many occasions cannot qualify for engineering and medical studies,” Oram said while explaining the aim of the project. “We will remove all your difficulties but you have to make a commitment that you will move forward in every sphere,” he told the gathering.
The 36 Eklavya schools proposed for Meghalaya are among the 462 which will be established in different states in the next five years. The schools will soon get approval of the Union Cabinet.
“It is a matter of pride for a small state like Meghalaya,” said Oram while announcing the project.
State allocation
Meghalaya has received Rs 127 crore in the last four years which was spent on construction of various infrastructure, including schools and dorbar halls.
“My ministry has released Rs 127 crore under Article 275(1) of the Constitution to carry out various works as proposed by the Government of Meghalaya. This year onwards, I have earmarked an amount to the tune of Rs 25 crore for extending coverage of Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme (SCA to TSS) of Meghalaya, which will definitely boost the developmental works of the state,” said Oram and requested Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to ensure that all funds are being judiciously utilised for creating durable community assets through a transparent process.
Oram lamented that when the idea of forming the ministry came, there was “a peculiar attitude and mindset” but now the budget allocation of the ministry is around Rs 6,000 crore.
Focus on horticulture
The Union minister urged the chief minister to give priority to the development of horticulture, medical plants and other allied activities in Meghalaya, which will provide sustainable livelihood for the tribal people and make them self-reliant.
“We must try to give up shifting cultivation/jhooming, thereby striving for modern cultivation practices making agriculture more commercialised and viable. Our government is laying big emphasis on the growth of the MSME sector. That is why, the state government should reap the benefits of these programmes to produce budding entrepreneurs and promote them, so as to create employment generation and spur economic growth,” he said.
