GUWAHATI, June 10 - In a move to expedite the development of the people belonging to Scheduled Tribe communities of the State, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday discussed several issues with Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram at Brahmapura State Guest House.
During the meeting Chief Minister Sonowal and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram extensively discussed welfare schemes of the Scheduled Tribe and the people belonging to 6th Scheduled Area as well as other tribal areas. The duo discussed at length on Ekalavya Model Residential School for the tribal students the construction of two of which are going on in full swing and the construction of other two would start shortly.
It may be mentioned that the construction of two Ekalavya Model Ekalavya School is on the verge of completion in the tribal areas of the State. Chief Minister Sonowal requested the Union Minister to set up another Ekalavya School in the Mising dominated area of Majuli district so that the school can act as a force-multiplier in the development of Majuli in general and Mising community in particular. Oram also requested Sonowal to extend all possible assistance for the completion of the schools expeditiously. Altogether four Ekalavya residential schools will be set up in Assam and the Central Government would spend Rs 42,000 for every student every year in these schools.
Chief Minister Sonowal and Union Minister Oram also discussed at length the implementation of Forest Rights Act which enables any tribal family living in the designated forest area for three generation to own land patta of that land.
Moreover, Chief Minister Sonowal stated that the State Government would submit a proposal to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs regarding an exhaustive plan for the development of three autonomous councils under 6th Schedule and other six autonomous councils in the State. Union Minister Oram also assured to take all steps for the development of the Autonomous Council once his Ministry receives the proposal. The Union Minister also enquired about the status of post matric scholarship for the students belonging to ST communities to which Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, Rajib Bora informed that the State has no pending cases of post matric scholarship.
The meeting also discussed the pending cases of the welfare schemes for ST communities where the Centre bears 100 per cent share under Article 275 (1). The Union Minister said that his Ministry would shortly disburse all funds of the schemes under Article 275 (1) for speedy development of the ST communities.
Additional Chief Secretary Rajib Bora was also present at the meeting.
