Government has decided to establish Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in every block with 50% or more ST population and atleast 20,000 tribal persons. A total number of 740 EMRSs are scheduled to be established across the country by the year 2025-26, out of which 690 schools have already been sanctioned and 401 EMRSs are reported to be functional. Since no block fulfils the criteria for establishment of EMRS as per the schematic guidelines, no EMRSs have been sanctioned in Hazaribagh and Ramgarh district of Jharkhand, and Mumbai district of Maharashtra.

Tribal Affairs Ministry in coordination with National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization to manage and implement the scheme of EMRS, is continuously coordinating and following up with the State Governments to get suitable land free from all encumbrances, including forest clearance. States have been advised to run schools in alternative buildings preferably in Government Buildings till the construction of schools is completed.

The approved capital cost for construction of EMRS is Rs.37.80 crores for plain areas which can go upto Rs. 48.00 crores in case of Northeast, Hilly and LWE affected areas. Recurring cost of Rs.1,09,000.00 per student per year is given to schools towards running and managing the school. Fund is released to NESTS and NESTS further releases funds to States/ UTs/ PSUs/ Construction Agencies/ State Societies as per their requirements for construction of EMRSs and recurring cost for running of the schools.

During the current financial year, i.e. 2022-23, Ministry has released an amount of Rs.1,465.27 crore to NESTS for implementation of the scheme of EMRS (as on 31.01.2023).

Government is sensitive about the digital gap in the country especially among the tribal children. In order to ensure digital connectivity, Ministry has planned to set up technology enabled classrooms in coordination with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through ERNET in 175 EMRSs, with dedicated lease line through BSNL in phase-I.

This information was given by Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Smt Renuka Singh Saruta in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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