Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs addressed concerns regarding the delayed Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) project in Bundwan, Purulia, West Bengal. The delay was attributed to the State Government's delay in providing land, which was eventually allotted in March 2025. Construction responsibility has been entrusted to the State Government, with a maximum permissible construction period of 18 months from the work award date.
Key Points / Main Content:
Project Delay and Land Allotment:
* The EMRS construction in Bundwan was delayed due to the West Bengal State Government's delay in providing the required land.
* The land was eventually allotted in March 2025.
* The State Government has been entrusted with the responsibility for construction at their request, but work is yet to commence.
Financial Aspects:
* The ceiling cost for the construction of EMRS Bundwan is ₹37.80 crore.
* No funds have been disbursed as no fund release request has been received from the State Government.
Steps for Timely Completion:
* NESTS is coordinating with State EMRS Societies to manage and implement the EMRS scheme.
* NESTS has provided comprehensive construction guidelines, including standard drawings and designs, to the State Government.
* The State Government has been advised to engage a Third-Party Quality Assurance (TPQA) agency to maintain quality standards.
* Regular communication is being maintained with State authorities to expedite construction.
Communications:
* Over 20 communications were sent by NESTS and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs regarding land allocation.
* The State Government responded on 22.03.2023, 14.03.2024, and 26.06.2024.
* Formal sanction has been issued by NESTS vide letter dated 17.03.2025.
Impact Analysis:
State Government of West Bengal:
* Impact: Responsible for commencing and completing the construction of the EMRS within 18 months, as well as adhering to the construction guidelines provided by NESTS.
* Action Required: Commence construction, request fund release, engage a TPQA agency, and maintain regular communication with NESTS.
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS):
* Impact: Responsible for monitoring the project's progress, providing guidelines and support to the State Government, and ensuring timely completion.
* Action Required: Maintain regular communication with the State Government, and provide necessary support and guidance.
Tribal Students in Bundwan, Purulia:
* Impact: Experiencing delayed access to educational opportunities due to the delayed construction of the EMRS.
* Action Required: Await the completion of the EMRS to access quality residential education.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes.
SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO: Member of Lok Sabha who raised the unstarred question regarding EMRS in Bundwan, Purulia.
SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY: Minister of State for Tribal Affairs who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Eklavya Model Residential School: A type of school in India for tribal students.
Bundwan, Purulia, West Bengal: Location of the EMRS project that faced delays due to land allocation issues.
National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS): Autonomous organization responsible for managing and implementing the EMRS scheme.
State Government of West Bengal: The state government responsible for providing land for the EMRS construction, which caused delays.
Third-Party Quality Assurance (TPQA): Agency recommended to be engaged by State Government to maintain quality standards.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3171
TO BE ANSWERED ON- 07/08/2025
EMRS IN BUNDWAN, PURULIA OF WEST BENGAL
3171. SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Bundwan, Purulia
remained non-operational for an extended period due to the inordinate delay by the State Government of West
Bengal in providing land for its construction and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether land has now been allotted for the said school and the details of the impact that the delay has had on
project timelines and educational access for tribal students in the region;
(c) the total funds sanctioned for the Bundwan EMRS project along with the funds that remained unutilised due to
the delay in land handover;
(d) the steps being taken to fast-track construction and ensure that the school becomes operational within a fixed
timeline; and
(e) the number of communications sent by the Union Government to the State Government regarding land allocation
and the response received in each case?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) and (b): The construction of the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Bundwan was delayed due to
the State Government’s delay in providing the required land, which was eventually allotted in March 2025. At the
request of the State Government, the responsibility for construction has been entrusted to them. However, the work
is yet to commence. As per guidelines, the maximum permissible period for construction is 18 months from the
date of award of the work.
(c): The ceiling cost for the construction of EMRS Bundwan is ₹37.80 crore. However, since no fund release
request has been received from the State Government, no funds have been disbursed so far.
(d): To ensure the timely completion of the EMRS Bundwan project, several steps have been taken by the National
Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization established to manage and implement
the EMRS scheme in coordination with State EMRS Societies. In response to a request from the State Government,
the construction work of EMRS Bundwan has been entrusted to them. NESTS has shared comprehensive
construction guidelines, including standard drawings and designs, with the State Government. Additionally, to
maintain quality standards, the State Government has been advised to engage a Third-Party Quality Assurance
(TPQA) agency. Regular communication is being maintained with the State authorities to expedite the
commencement of construction.
(e): More than 20 communications were sent by NESTS and Ministry of Tribal Affairs regarding land allocations,
to which the State Government responded on 22.03.2023, 14.03.2024, and 26.06.2024.
State Government vide its letters dated 14.03.2024 and 26.06.2024 requested NESTS to allow construction by State
Government, though land was not provided by State Government. State Government provided land on 07.03.2025.
Accordingly, formal sanction has been issued by NESTS vide letter dated 17.03.2025.
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