Maharashtra demands Rs 600 cr as additional financial support

New Delhi, Apr 7: Maharashtra today demanded Rs 600 crore as additional financial support and release of sanctioned amount for various tribal schemes, which include a project of setting up communication towers in remote areas.

Tribal Welfare Minister Vishnu Savara has also demanded sanctioning of 6 new Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) to deliver quality education to tribal communities. He said of the 15 tribal dominated districts, 14 EMRS have been sanctioned in 12 districts.

However, six schools still need to be built with a financial assistance of Rs 96 crore, he said. Savara was speaking at a conference chaired by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram.

He also asked the Centre to release the remaining grant of Rs 20 crore and Rs 5.17 crore for various pending projects. The minister said funds amounting to Rs 105 crore meant scholarship for higher secondary education for 2015-16 were sanctioned.

However, of this only Rs 50.08 crore was released in the first instalment. He also demanded that the second installment of Rs 52.92 crore be released at the earliest. Savara demanded Rs 200 crore for setting up of communication towers in tribal districts of Amravati, Gadchiroli and Nandurbar.

PTI