Minister blames delay in getting land for Eklavya school in Purulia
The Statesman | 9 August 2025
Replying to an unstarred question of Purulia MP, Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, the Union minister of state for tribal affairs Durgadas Uikey has informed the Lok Sabha today that the construction of the Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) at Bandwan in Junglemahal of Purulia district 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, he said.
The ceiling cost for the construction of EMRS Bandwan is Rs 37.80 crore.
However, since no fund release request has been received from the state government, no funds have been disbursed so far, the minister informed.
“To ensure the timely completion of the EMRS Bandwan project, several steps have been taken by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organisation 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,” the Union minister said.
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.