Six fold increase in grant to tribal research institutes

In a major boost to tribal research institutes, the Centre has increased grant-in-aid to tribal research institutes (TRIs) by six times during the year 2014-15. “The grant which was Rs 274.41 lakh in 2013-14 increased to Rs 1641.00 lakh during 2014-2015. During the first four months of the current financial year an amount of Rs.464.37 was released,” said Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava in a written reply in Lok Sabha on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Centre has asked Asian Development Bank to carry out <g data-gr-id="13">pre-feasibility</g> study for financing road and rail link across Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, which is subject to acceptance by the Sri Lankan government. “The Project may be a combination of bridge and <g data-gr-id="12">underwater</g> tunnel which may allow unhindered movement of ships,” Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways Radhakrishnan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.