Lok Sabha Question No. 3171 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-07
Subject: EMRS in Bundwan, Purulia of West Bengal
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Jyotirmay Singh Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3171

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 07/08/2025

## EMRS IN BUNDWAN, PURULIA OF WEST BENGAL

## 3171. SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Bundwan, Purulia remained non-operational for an extended period due to the inordinate delay by the State Government of West Bengal in providing land for its construction and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether land has now been allotted for the said school and the details of the impact that the delay has had on project timelines and educational access for tribal students in the region;
- (c) the total funds sanctioned for the Bundwan EMRS project along with the funds that remained unutilised due to the delay in land handover;
- (d) the steps being taken to fast-track construction and ensure that the school becomes operational within a fixed timeline; and
- (e) the number of communications sent by the Union Government to the State Government regarding land allocation and the response received in each case?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) and (b): The construction of the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Bundwan was delayed due to the State Government's delay in providing the required land, which was eventually allotted in March 2025. At the request of the State Government, the responsibility for construction has been entrusted to them. However, the work is yet to commence. As per guidelines, the maximum permissible period for construction is 18 months from the date of award of the work.
- (c): The ceiling cost for the construction of EMRS Bundwan is ₹37.80 crore. However, since no fund release request has been received from the State Government, no funds have been disbursed so far.
- (d): To ensure the timely completion of the EMRS Bundwan project, several steps have been taken by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization established to manage and implement the EMRS scheme in coordination with State EMRS Societies. In response to a request from the State Government, the  construction  work  of  EMRS  Bundwan  has  been  entrusted  to  them.  NESTS  has  shared  comprehensive construction guidelines, including standard drawings and designs, with the State Government. Additionally, to maintain quality standards, the State Government has been advised to engage a Third-Party Quality Assurance (TPQA)  agency.  Regular  communication  is  being  maintained  with  the  State  authorities  to  expedite  the commencement of construction.
- (e): More than 20 communications were sent by NESTS and Ministry of Tribal Affairs regarding land allocations, to which the State Government responded on 22.03.2023, 14.03.2024, and 26.06.2024.

State Government vide its letters dated 14.03.2024 and 26.06.2024 requested NESTS to allow construction by State Government, though land was not provided by State Government. State Government provided land on 07.03.2025. Accordingly, formal sanction has been issued by NESTS vide letter dated 17.03.2025.