India, Feb. 6 -- The government has operationalised 476 of the 718 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) sanctioned across India, minister of state for tribal affairs Durgadas Uikey said on Thursday. These schools are set up by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) set up to manage and implement the scheme to open residential schools for tribal children.

The minister said construction of the buildings had been completed in 346 cases, construction was in progress in 247 while 125 schools sanctioned by the government were at a pre construction stage.

"The construction at many locations has been delayed due to the reasons like delay in land provision by state governments, land and forest clearance issues and local p...