Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday discussed several issues with Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram in Guwahati.
During the meeting, Sonowal and Oram extensively discussed welfare schemes of the scheduled tribe and the people belonging to the 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.
Sonowal further 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.
Oram also requested Sonowal to extend all possible assistance for the completion of the schools expeditiously. Altogether four Ekalavya Residential Schools are to be set up in Assam and the Central government would spend Rs 42,000 for every student every year in these schools.
Sonowal and Oram also discussed 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.
Sonowal stated that the Assam government would submit a proposal to the Union ministry regarding an exhaustive plan for the development of three autonomous councils under 6th schedule and other six autonomous councils in the state. Oram assured to take all steps for the development of the autonomous council once his ministry receives the proposal.
