Lok Sabha Question No. 4028 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Ekalavya Model Residential School
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4028

TO BE ANSWERED ON- 19/12/2024

## EKALAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

4028. SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to establish a new Ekalavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Chevella Parliamentary Constituency of Telangana, considering the present population of the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in the region;

- (b) if so, the details thereof, including the timeline for implementation;
- (c) the criteria used to determine the location and feasibility of setting up an EMRS; and
- (d)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  the  educational  needs  of  the ST community in the Chevella region?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): Government of India has taken several steps to address the educational needs of the ST communities including Telangana as mentioned below.
- (i).  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  ST children in their own environment. Under the new scheme, 440 EMRSs have been approved, one in every block having more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons (as per  census  2011).  With  288  EMRS  schools  already  sanctioned  Before  2018)  under  Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, 728 EMRS have been approved including Telangana. In the approved blocks, State Govt is required to provide encumbrance free suitable land. As on date, 715 schools have been sanctioned, out of which 476 EMRSs are functional benefiting 1,33,929 students. In the State of Telangana 23 EMRSs have been sanctioned and all of them are functional.

Further Chevella Parliamentary Constituency in Telangana comprises two districts: Vikarabad and Ranga Reddy. However, none of the blocks within these two districts meet the twin criteria for establishing Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).

- (ii).  Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) a scheme with total outlay of Rs.79,156  crores  (Central  Share:  Rs.56,333  crore  and  State  Share:  Rs.  22,823  crore)  was launched  on  2 nd   October  2024.    DAJGUA  envisions saturation  of  critical  gaps  in  social infrastructure including education sector. Under the Scheme, construction of 1000 hostels has been provisioned, which would improve access to education. Additionally, under DAJGUA, there is provision  for upgradation of infrastructure of Ashram schools and hostels being run by State Governments for Tribal children.

(iii).  Ministry of Tribal Affairs is implementing following Scholarship Schemes across country including  Telangana  to  promote  and  encourage  basic  and  higher  education  amongst  ST population: -

- (a)  Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST students (For Class IX and X):

(b) Post Matric Scholarship for ST students (For Class XI and above):

- (c) National Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education of ST Students (earlier known as Top Class  Scholarship  Scheme):  Scholarship  is  provided  for  pursuing  Graduate/Post  Graduate courses in the 265 top-class Government and Non-Government Institutes in professional fields such as Management, Medicine, Engineering, Information Technology, Law etc.
- (d).  National  Fellowship  Scheme  for  Higher  Education  of  ST  Students:   Scholarship  to meritorious ST students for pursuing M.Phil or Ph.D in India.

(e) National Overseas Scholarship for ST students: Scholarships are given to the meritorious Schedule Tribe (ST) students for pursuing higher education abroad.

Pre and Post Matric Scholarships scheme are open ended and every ST student with income upto 2.5 lakh can take benefit of these schemes.

(iv). Under  Samagra  Shiksha,  an overarching  programme  for the school education, is implemented by Dept of School Education, Government of India with a total financial outlay of Rs.2,94,283 (2021-2026). The scheme has a special thrust on Bridging Social and Gender Gaps in School education. Under the scheme there is provision of setting up  of hostels for difficult areas including those for PVTG children under PMJANMAN. 8 hostels have been approved under PMJANMAN and 4 under DAJGUA for Telangana which will enhance access to education for Tribal children of Telangana including those residing in Chevella Parliamentary Constituency.

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