LUCKNOW: The Government of Uttar Pradesh has approached the Centre seeking financial assistance of around Rs 72 crore for development programmes and scholarship schemes for tribal communities in six districts during the 2025-26 financial year, officials said.
According to the proposal submitted by the state’s Tribal Welfare Department, the largest share of funds has been sought for Sonbhadra at Rs 44 crore. Bahraich is proposed to receive Rs 15 crore, followed by Lalitpur with Rs 6 crore, Lakhimpur Kheri with Rs 3 crore, Chandauli with Rs 2.27 crore, and Balrampur with Rs 37 lakh.
Officials said the funding would support a range of initiatives aimed at improving education, infrastructure and living standards in tribal-dominated areas. The state highlighted its ongoing scholarship programmes, under which more than 1.5 lakh tribal students have benefited from pre-matric and post-matric scholarships and fee reimbursements over the past five years.
The government has also been expanding residential facilities for tribal students. At present, two hostels are operational, while eight more are under construction across various districts. In addition, Eklavya Model Residential Schools are functioning in Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, and Sonbhadra, with another school currently being built in Lalitpur.
Apart from education-focused measures, the state has implemented provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, in 13 districts to recognise land rights of tribal communities and traditional forest dwellers. So far, over 23,000 claims have been approved, and land ownership certificates have been issued, with efforts underway to update revenue records accordingly.
