Overview
- Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi and submitted a request for special assistance and FRBM relaxation for the Young India Integrated Residential Schools programme.
- The funding proposal seeks Rs 30,000 crore through a special-purpose corporation, allocating Rs 21,000 crore to build 105 campuses and Rs 9,000 crore for allied upgrades across the education sector.
- Each campus is planned for about 2,560 students in classes 5–12, aiming to benefit 2.7 lakh children directly and to support thousands of nearby government schools.
- The government positions the project to improve education and nutrition for students from BC, SC, ST and minority communities as a long-term investment in human development.
- The delegation also asked for restructuring of high-interest legacy loans and higher customs duty on palm oil to aid farmers, and the Centre has not announced a decision.