Eklavya schools for blocks with tribal population

The Centre has “in-principle” approved a proposal for starting Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in every block with more than 50% scheduled tribe (ST) population and at least 20,000 tribal persons.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave the nod at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, here on Monday,

“To begin with, the CCEA has approved a financial cost of Rs 2,242.03 crore during 2018-19 and 2019-20 for rolling out the revamped scheme,” an official statement said.

The CCEA also approved upgradation of already sanctioned EMRSs “on need basis”.

It approved setting up of sports facilities in 163 tribal dominated districts by the year 2022 at a cost of Rs 5 crore each.

“Financial provisions for 15 sports facilities during 2018-19 and 2019-20 has been agreed to,” the government said.

The EMRSs will be run by an autonomous society under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the government added.