The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by the PM Narendra Modi has given its in-principle approval for setting up of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) in every block.
It will include 50% ST population with at least 20,000 tribals. During 2018-19 and 2019-20, the CCEA has approved a financial cost of Rs. 2242.03 crore for rolling out the revamped scheme.
Approvals by the CCEA:
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There will be an Autonomous Society under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs like Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti to run the EMRSs.
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There will be upgradation of already sanctioned EMRSs on need basis with unit cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 5 crore per school.
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Setting up sports facilities in 163 tribal dominated districts at a unit cost of Rs. 5 crore each to be constructed by the year 2022.
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Financial provisions for 15 sports facilities during 2018-19 and 2019-20 has been agreed.
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Enhancing the grants for maintenance which are admissible every five years from Rs 10 lakh to Rs.20 Lakh.
Important Points:
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The 102 of such blocks are already having EMRSs. Therefore, 462 new EMRSs will be established in these blocks across the country.
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To improve the construction quality and better facilities for the students, there will be increase in construction cost of EMRS from current Rs.12 crore to Rs. 20 crore.
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Recurring cost to be enhanced to Rs. 1, 09,000/- per student per year from the existing Rs. 61500/- per student per year from 2019-20 onwards.
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For construction cost in North East, hilly areas, difficult areas and areas affected by Left Wing, additional 20% would be provided towards Extremism.
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EMRS is an excellent approach for imparting quality education to ST children. Apart from school building provision for a playground, students' computer lab, teacher resource room etc. are also included in the EMRSs. It will benefit ST students immensely.
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The quality of the life of STs is expected to improve to the level of rest of the social groups and a visible impact by 2021 Census.
