The Government of India has allocated a sum of Rs429.96 crore for setting up hostels for students belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST) in last the four years. Moreover, the Government has set up total 1,481 hostels for ST students across the country since 2002-03, of which 81 hostels are in Jharkhand and 143 in Gujarat. Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mansukhbhai Vasava, provided the information in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday in reply to a question raised by MP Parimal Nathwani.
The minister stated that a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) of ‘Hostels for ST boys and girls’ is being implemented by the Ministry under which Grant-in-Aid is released to State Governments/UT Administrations for construction of hostel buildings for ST boys and girls based on proposals sent by the States/UTs/Universities according to their requirement of such hostels. Total Rs429.96 crore has been allotted for the purpose since 2012.13.
The minister also stated that out of total 1,481 hostels for ST students, 529 hostels are for boys and 952 hostels are for girls that provide facilities to total 1,01,545 students-32,281 boys and 69,264 girls–belonging to Scheduled Tribes. In Jharkhand total 5,700 students belonging to ST category gets benefit from 52 boys’ hostels and 29 girls’ hostels. In Gujarat, out of total 143 hostels 74 are for boys and 69 are for girls providing facilities to 5,366 boys and 5,105 girls belonging to Scheduled Tribes.
Nathwani wanted to know about the scheme of “Hostels for Scheduled Tribes (STs) Girls and Boys” being implemented by Government along with the State/UT-wise funds allocated there under during each of the last three years and the current year, the State/UT-wise number for hostels for ST girls and boys presently functioning in the country, separately along with the number of students benefited therefrom. He also sought information on the proposals received from various States and universities for construction of hostel buildings along with the funds released and utilised.
The minister also said that the receipt of proposal from the State Governments /UT Administration/Universities for grant-in-aid under the scheme is an ongoing and continuous process. Funds are released only if the proposals are complete in all respects as per norms of the scheme including utilization certificates and physical progress report of funds released earlier and subject to availability of funds in a particular year, he said.
The minister stated that that the government allocated Rs78 crore in 2012-13, Rs125 crore in 2013-14, Rs133.48 crore in 2014-15 and Rs133.48 crore in 2015-16. From the financial year 2014-15 Grants-in-aid for construction of hostels is given under an Umbrella Scheme of education for ST students.