Lok Sabha Question No. 1617 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-05
Subject: EMRS under Guwahati Lok Sabha Constituency
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Bijuli Kalita Medhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1617

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2024

## EMRS UNDER GUWAHATI LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCY

1617. SMT. BIJULI KALITA MEDHI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

the details of the scheme for Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) highlighting the roots of democracy under Guwahati Lok Sabha Constituency?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

The Central Sector Scheme of Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) was started in the year 2018-19 to provide quality education at par with Navodaya Vidyalaya to the tribal children in their own environment. Under the new scheme, Government decided to establish 440 EMRSs, one EMRS in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per census 2011). 288 EMRS schools were initially funded under Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, which are being upgraded as per the new model. Accordingly, Ministry has set the target to set up total of 728 EMRSs benefiting around 3.5 lakh ST students across the country.  As on date, 715 schools  have  been  sanctioned,  out  of  which  476  EMRSs  have  been  reported  to  be functional  across  the  country  benefiting  about  1,33,929  students.  National  Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), has been established as an autonomous body under Ministry of Tribal Affairs to manage and implement the central sector scheme of EMRS. The Ministry has recognized the importance of acquainting students from the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) with the functioning of Parliament and parliamentary institutions. As part of this initiative, the Scheme of Youth Parliament has been sanctioned for EMRSs in the year 2024. This scheme aims to provide students with a platform to simulate parliamentary procedures, encouraging  them  to actively participate in democratic processes and understand governance at the national level. Further, students from EMRSs have also participated in the Online Youth Parliament Scheme,  which  enabled  them  to  engage  with  parliamentary  proceedings  in  a  virtual format. This ensured that they remained connected and informed about the workings of Parliament, despite geographical constraints.

In  addition  to  this,  a  Scheme  of  Y20  was  also  introduced  in  EMRSs.  This  initiative is  designed  as  a  prototype  of  the  G20  framework,  allowing  students  to  engage  in global discussions and gain insights into international diplomacy and cooperation. Furthermore,  students  from  EMRSs  have  had  the  invaluable  opportunity  to  visit both  the  old  and  new  Parliament  Houses.  These  visits  have  allowed  them  to experience first-hand the operations and significance of the Indian Parliament. Ministry of Tribal Affairs has sanctioned 2 EMRSs in Guwahati Lok Sabha Constituency under the new scheme namely EMRS Dudhnai at Kuchdhowa block in Goalpara district. and EMRS Boko at Boko block in Kamrup district. Both are non functional

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