700 more Eklavya Model Residential schools by 2022: Jual Oram
Jamshedpur, Oct 30: Union minister Jual Oram on Tuesday said the government is planning to start 700 more Eklavya Model Residential school (EMRS) across the country by 2022.
EMRS is a central scheme of model residential schools for tribals (Scheduled Tribes) across the country which was launched in 2000.
Tribal Affairs Minister Oram, who was in the steel city to participate in the two-day national-level EMRS music competition organized by the East Singhbhum district administration at Tata Auditorium here, said the purpose was to bridge the competence gap between the tribal youths and others in all fields including higher studies and competitive examinations.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest on the occasion, Oram said currently there are 182 Eklavya schools operating in the country and the government has plans to start 700 more by 2022.
The schools would be opened in blocks where tribal population was over 20,000, he said adding that 80 per cent of blocks in Jharkhand would come under the scheme.
Lauding the performance of EMRS, the minister said the students were doing well and secured first and second ranks so far as Union Public Service Commission or State Public Service Commissions competitive examination were concerned.
The students are, however, lagging behind in confidence in the competitive exams, he said.
"We have to inculcate confidence among them that they are the national achievers in any field whether it was sports or education and can improve their performances," he said.
Oram said the government has provided pilot training to tribal youths under the scheme and have been coaching them for professional competitions.
Appreciating the Jharkhand government's efforts in organising the inaugural edition of the national level EMRS music competition successfully, the minister assured that the event will be organized every year.
Altogether, 12 states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Nagaland, Odisha, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand took part in the competition.
Later, speaking to reporters, Oram said the government would spend Rs 25,000 crore by 2022 to improve the standard of life of the tribal community.
Apart from Oram, Union Minister of State for Tribal affairs Sudarshan Bhagat, Jharkhand Tribal Welfare Minister Louis Marandi, Secretary (Tribal Affairs), Government of India, Vinod Tiwari and Secretary (Tribal Welfare) Himani Pande also spoke on the occasion.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
