Secy Tribal Affairs reviews status, takes stock of progress on Tribal Research Institute Khimber

Srinagar: Secretary, Cooperatives and Tribal Affairs, Abdul Majid Bhat, Friday convened a meeting to review the status of five newly sanctioned Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for Scheduled Tribe students.
The meeting was attended by General Manager JKPCC Kushal Chand, Chief Engineer, R&B, Sami Arif Yasri, officials from J&K Housing Board, Tribal Affairs and other concerned.
The meeting held threadbare discussions on various aspects of the model residential schools which will come up at Anantnag, Kulgam, Kargil, Rajouri and Poonch districts. Besides work on previously sanctioned three EMRS buildings at Gurez, Rajouri and Leh are in various stages of construction.
On the occasion, the Secretary directed the executing agencies to submit the drawing of EMRS as per the guidelines of Government of India within approved cast within a week so that uniform prototype design is adapted in future projects.
He said EMRS are aimed to provide lodging, boarding and other educational facilities to the ST students.
He urged the concerned officials that to work hard so that various schemes for ST development are effectively implemented on the ground.
Bhat also said to provide better residential facilities to ST students of far-flung areas, the Department is already constructing hostels for the boys and girls in various districts. He said 19 Gujar/Bakrwaal hostels are also under construction and by the end of this year 10 of them would be completed in all respects.
During the meeting, Secretary also took stock of progress on Tribal Research Institute, Khimber. He directed the executing agency to speed up the pace of work and complete the same within the stipulated time.
The Tribal Research Institute is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 7.82 crore and is spread over 25 Kanals of land. It shall have all the modern facilities like computer lab, recreational and multipurpose hall besides nine classrooms and other related infrastructure.