Move afoot to deprive Koraput of Central varsity

The Pioneer, April 28, 2009

PNS | Bhubaneswar

It is now the turn of officials to play with the fate of the much-awaited Central University in Koraput district, for which the Union Government had taken a lot of time to give its sanction.

Though it was expected that the proposed university would come up at Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided to establish it in Koraput.

That was only keeping poll-eve political advantage in sight. And the Centre, after a lot of noise, sanctioned Rs 1.20 crore for the Central University in Koraput.

However, now the officials of the Union Government do not appear to be in a mood to go to this tribal-dominated district. The reason is lack of facilities like airport and modern healthcare units.

Prof Surabhi Banerjee, who has been appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of the Central University, is reportedly not ready to move to Koraput. Sources said the VC has been persuading the State Government officials to open a temporary campus of the university in the capital of the State.

The newly-formed Central University’s authorities argue that the academic activities could begin from a temporary campus in Bhubaneswar till sufficient buildings are constructed in Koraput.

It may be mentioned here that by the time the building will be ready Prof Banerjee’s term will come to an end. This is despite the fact that the credit of being the first VC of the university at Koraput goes to her.

Prof Banerjee’s attempt to open a temporary campus is, however, not supported by many in the State. The authorities can find a suitable place for running the temporary campus in Koraput itself, they argue.

Though Koraput does not have air link, it is well-connected with rail line. Therefore, the students and faculty should have no communication problem. Koraput is the major district in the poor KBK region and it would be literally deprived of getting a Central University even though it has been sanctioned by the Centre.