Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt of India, has approved Rs. 67.70 crore over and above the normal release of the Ministry of Rs. 43 Crore received during current financial year 2018-19, Commissioner-cum-Principal Secretary (Tribal Development) Onkar Sharma, said on Monday.
He said that it is for the first time that the State Govt. has been able to get such large additional funds from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in one year.
The proposal was envisaged in pursuance of the Budget Assurance of the Chief Minister for the financial year 2018-19 regarding opening of new EMRS in the State. Three additional Ekalvya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) sanctioned are Pangi at Killar, Bharmour at Khani in District Chamba and Lahaul at Barring in District Lahaul-Spiti.
He said that it is a historic achievement to get sanctioned additional three Schools in one year as only one Ekalvya Model Residential Schools(EMRS) was functional in the State at Nichar in District Kinnaur since 2005.
Out of total sanctioned amount to Rs. 16 crore each to Pangi at Killar and Lahaul at Barring, the Ministry has released first Installment of Rs. 5 crore each during financial year 2018-19 and remaining funds of Rs. 11 crore each will be released during financial year 2019-20, he added.
Onkar Sharma also informed that GoI has sanctioned an additional amount of Rs. 15.70 crore under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme which was a great achievement of the State Government.
He said the State government had submitted the proposal for additional funds under Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub Scheme of Rs. 15.70 Crore to Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The Ministry after taking due consideration of the proper implementation of scheme in the State has released whole additional amount of Rs. 15.70 crore on December 27, 2018.