Shillong, July 10: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs has decided to take up large number of tribal villages for overall development in different tribal states of the country. These villages will be funded by the Ministry with an aim to make them self-sufficient within 5 years.

836 such villages have been identified in Meghalaya.

“A total of 836 villages in Meghalaya have been identified…the objective being to make these villages self sufficient…the ministry will be funding these villages for five years,” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters on Friday.

He also informed that a meeting will also take place next week, with the joint secretary of the project adding the implementation of the development projects will soon start.

Unsatisfactory progress on Eklavya Model Residential Schools

The Chief Minister said the overall progress of the work on Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) has not been upto the mark and task force will be set-up to oversee the work.

“Therefore, after discussing with the Union Tribal Affairs Minister, we are setting up a task force which will be headed by me. The education minister and education department will also be there besides implementing agencies WAPCOS and Manipur MIDC and officials from the ministry,” he said.

He said all the different issues concerning land and other aspects which led to slowing down of the implementation of the scheme will be taken up by this task force.

“There was concern whether the state or national policy will apply and during the course of the meeting, it was clarified to us that the state reservation policy will be applicable for the recruitment in these schools,” he added.