Tribal Welfare in India

India is home to many tribals who altogether comprise 8.6% of the Indian Population. Along with social backwardness and lack of access to education, health, and other welfare programs, Tribals continue to suffer from geographical isolation. To mainstream the tribals in India and provide them with an outlet for their upliftment, the government has provided them with an affirmative reservation of 7.5% in all government jobs and educational institutes.

Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS)

• The government aims to establish an Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in each subdistrict with a substantial tribal population (every block with more than 50% ST population and at least 20,000 tribal persons) will have an Eklavya Model Residential School by the year 2022.
• The EMRS will be funded through Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution .
• The government aims to provide a capital cost (Rs 12 crore) for the school complex, hostels and staff quarters.
• This amount will be increased to Rs 16 crores in hilly areas, deserts and islands.
• In these schools, education will be entirely free with every class having a maximum of 60 students (equally boys and girls).
• The total sanctioned strength of the school will be 480 students.
• The usage of the funds will be regularly monitored through the Physical Progress Reports, Utilisation Certificates, review meetings at various levels and field visits by officers from the Ministry.

Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution

The Grants under Article 275(1) of the constitution is the sum that is paid out of the Consolidated Fund of India as the grants in aid of the revenues to meet the costs of such schemes of development by the State after approval of the STs or to raise the the level of administration of the Scheduled Areas therein to that of the administration of the rest of the areas of that State.