Committee to visit University site in Koraput
The Statesman, June 13, 2009
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, 12 JUNE: A site selection committee headed by Mr S Kumar, joint secretary of human resource development ministry, is to visit Koraput to inspect the proposed site for the establishment of a Central University.
The team is expected to arrive on 14 June. An area of over 575 acres has been identified for the establishment. It is close to the town railway line and National Highway, noted higher education minister, Mr DP Mishra.
The site fulfills most of the requirements for setting up the University, he said while informing about schools, hospitals, air strips and telecommunication network in the vicinity.
Replying to questions in the Assembly, Mr Mishra said the Central University was one of the 14 of its kind announced by the Government of India. He added that a separate 700 acres of land near Banki had also been selected for establishing another University.
A member, Mr Jitu Patnaik of Keonjhar district wanted to know why a tribal dominated district like his was deprived of a varsity, while leader of Opposition, Mr Bhupinder Singh enquired whether an all party delegation from Kalahandi had met the chief minister and staked claim for the Central University.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Bhupinder Singh questioned on location of Central University!
World class varsity land identified
Tathya.in, June 11, 2009
Bhubaneswar:11/June/2009
The Orissa Government has identified a patch of 700 acre plus land at Talabasta in Banki Sub-division of Cuttack district for the proposed World Class University.
Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister Higher Education has revealed in the Orissa House on 11 June here.
Replaying to a question Mr.Mishra said that the State Government has informed the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in this regard.
The land is free from litigations and it was also near to the Capital.
The River Mahanadi at the backdrop, makes the place a picturesque one, said he.
“We have asked MHRD to send their site selection team to finalize the site”, said Mr.Mishra.
He informed the Assembly that a team headed by Sunil Kumar is visiting Koraput to finalize the site for the proposed Central University on 14 June.
A five-member team will inspect the 500 plus acre land near Koraput township for setting up the varsity.
Minister said that the identified place is well connected with rail and roads.
Schools, hospitals and other social infrastructures are available in the nearby places, so that faculty and staff will not face any problem to fulfill basic requirements of their children and family members.
He said the State Government is extending all out support to run the Central University in a rented accommodation till the construction of the varsity is over.
Minister informed the House that till date only Vice Chancellor has been appointed and now process is on to rope in staff.
VC is also making efforts to appoint faculty members for the varsity, said Mr.Mishra.
He hoped that this initiative of the MHRD will improve access of the students of KBK region to quality education.
Bhupinder Singh, Leader of Opposition said that the Central University was to be set up at Bhawanipatna as per promise of the Chief Minister.
Naveen Patnaik had promised to a delegation of Kalahandi to set up the varsity at Kalahandi.
Then why the Government did change it to Koraput, creating frustration among the educated masses of Kalahandi, lamented Mr.Singh.
Minister feigned ignorance about the said meeting and CM’s promise over the issue.
Prasad Harichandan wanted to know when the World class university will come up in the state.
Minister blamed it on Centre, saying MHRD is yet to reply back the State Government in this regard.
Sources said MHRD is still non-commital over the matter and nothing has been given in concrete terms to the Government of Orissa by MHRD, except the announcement.
Tathya.in, June 11, 2009
Bhubaneswar:11/June/2009
The Orissa Government has identified a patch of 700 acre plus land at Talabasta in Banki Sub-division of Cuttack district for the proposed World Class University.
Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister Higher Education has revealed in the Orissa House on 11 June here.
Replaying to a question Mr.Mishra said that the State Government has informed the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in this regard.
The land is free from litigations and it was also near to the Capital.
The River Mahanadi at the backdrop, makes the place a picturesque one, said he.
“We have asked MHRD to send their site selection team to finalize the site”, said Mr.Mishra.
He informed the Assembly that a team headed by Sunil Kumar is visiting Koraput to finalize the site for the proposed Central University on 14 June.
A five-member team will inspect the 500 plus acre land near Koraput township for setting up the varsity.
Minister said that the identified place is well connected with rail and roads.
Schools, hospitals and other social infrastructures are available in the nearby places, so that faculty and staff will not face any problem to fulfill basic requirements of their children and family members.
He said the State Government is extending all out support to run the Central University in a rented accommodation till the construction of the varsity is over.
Minister informed the House that till date only Vice Chancellor has been appointed and now process is on to rope in staff.
VC is also making efforts to appoint faculty members for the varsity, said Mr.Mishra.
He hoped that this initiative of the MHRD will improve access of the students of KBK region to quality education.
Bhupinder Singh, Leader of Opposition said that the Central University was to be set up at Bhawanipatna as per promise of the Chief Minister.
Naveen Patnaik had promised to a delegation of Kalahandi to set up the varsity at Kalahandi.
Then why the Government did change it to Koraput, creating frustration among the educated masses of Kalahandi, lamented Mr.Singh.
Minister feigned ignorance about the said meeting and CM’s promise over the issue.
Prasad Harichandan wanted to know when the World class university will come up in the state.
Minister blamed it on Centre, saying MHRD is yet to reply back the State Government in this regard.
Sources said MHRD is still non-commital over the matter and nothing has been given in concrete terms to the Government of Orissa by MHRD, except the announcement.
if at all a second campus is to be opened it should start at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi
Central Varsity to be set up in Koraput only
The Pioneer, 9th May, 2009
PNS Bhubaneswar
Succumbing to the tremendous pressure from the intelligentsia of the State, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Orissa (CUO) Prof Surabhi Banerjee has changed her stance. She said here on Thursday that the campus of the new university would be opened at Koraput only. Prof Banerjee met Naveen Patnaik here to apprise him of the developments on the university. Clearly defensive, she said the campus would be opened at Koraput and classes would start in August. In next June and July, the process would be on to arrange facility for classes and faculty, she said over her mobile. During the meeting with Chief Minister, she made it clear that the campus would be established at Koraput. She said there seemed to be some misgivings about a second campus in Bhubaneswar. All-out efforts are being made to start the campus at Koraput, she added. When Prof Banerjee’s move to set up a second campus first in the capital city was exposed in the media, a leading non-resident Oriya (NRO), Sandip Dasverma, questioned the decision in strong terms. Outraged over the decision, he demanded action against the people behind the move. NROs, led by Digamabara Patra, created huge stir at both State and at national levels. Prof Patra wrote letters on the issue to the Prime Minister, Union Human Resources Development Minister and State Chief Minister. More than 100 students, teachers, educationists and members of the civil society demanded immediate action in this regard by sending e-mails. All of them demanded that if at all a second campus is to be opened it should start at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) was flooded with e-mails from all parts of the world, and the mandarins were worried over the matter. Principal Secretary to CM, Bijay Kumar Patnaik, took up the matter seriously. And Prof Banerjee was summoned to clarify the factual position. Secretary of the Higher Education Department Madhu Sudan Padhi did not buy the idea of a second campus of the CUO in Bhubaneswar before starting the original campus at Koraput. He asked Prof Banerjee to make arrangements for the campus at Koraput. And sources said some buildings have been located for starting the original campus at Koraput.
NROs rue plan for second Central varsity campus in Bhubaneswar
The Pioneer, April 30, 2009
PNS | Bhawanipatna
Non-resident Oriyas (NROs) have expressed deep concern and anguish over the decision of Prof Surabhi Banerjee to set up a Second Campus of the Central University of Orissa (CUO) at Bhubaneswar.
They said that there was no need for opening a Second Campus in the Capital city as Bhubaneswar is hosting many national institutions like IIT, NISER, AIIMS and National University Bhubaneswar (NUB).
NROs like Prof Digambara Patra and others have flooded the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with e-mails demanding immediate intervention. Professor Patra, who teaches Chemistry in the American University of Beirut, alleged that the first Vice-Chancellor of CUO is more interested in her own personal convenience. He has alleged that Prof Banerjee is in no mood to move to Koraput due to lack of facilities like airport and modern health care units. Many of us have been working hard to establish a Central University in the KBK region for the past five years keeping backwardness of KBK region in mind, but this is really disappointing, he rued.
People of Kalahandi have been struggling for a Central University for the past two decades for which the Chief Minister of Orissa promised to establish a Central University in Kalahandi in May 2008, said Lily Behera from Texas, US. Though it was expected that the proposed new Central University of Orissa will come up at Bhawanipatna as it meets all infrastructure cited by MHRD and is centrally located in KBK, Naveen Patnaik later decided to shift it to Koraput keeping political advantage in mind, she alleged.
Earlier, many petitions were given to the Prime Minister praying for justice towards the injustice caused by the Chief Minister of Orissa to the people of Kalahandi which are still pending, said Lingaraj Patra from Tokyo, Japan.
In the past couple of years, the State Government has proposed the Central Government to establish a CUO at Koraput, a branch of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) in Phulbani and an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Berhampur, all of them in South Orissa, said Atmaram Thakur. But no national institution has been proposed in the Western Orissa region during this period, he lamented.
It would be wise to establish a new campus of CUO in those regions of the State which are backward and needs attention in higher education in Western Orissa, and not in Bhuabneswar region, which is already hosting many similar establishments of high repute, said Maitreyee Behera.
By proposing a second campus of CUO in a rented house in Bhubaneswar, the VC is diluting the importance of its establishment in the backward KBK, alleged Ramakanta Acharya.
All of them are strongly opposing the move adding that in case of a second campus of CUO, it should be established in Bhawanipatna.
PNS | Bhawanipatna
Non-resident Oriyas (NROs) have expressed deep concern and anguish over the decision of Prof Surabhi Banerjee to set up a Second Campus of the Central University of Orissa (CUO) at Bhubaneswar.
They said that there was no need for opening a Second Campus in the Capital city as Bhubaneswar is hosting many national institutions like IIT, NISER, AIIMS and National University Bhubaneswar (NUB).
NROs like Prof Digambara Patra and others have flooded the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with e-mails demanding immediate intervention. Professor Patra, who teaches Chemistry in the American University of Beirut, alleged that the first Vice-Chancellor of CUO is more interested in her own personal convenience. He has alleged that Prof Banerjee is in no mood to move to Koraput due to lack of facilities like airport and modern health care units. Many of us have been working hard to establish a Central University in the KBK region for the past five years keeping backwardness of KBK region in mind, but this is really disappointing, he rued.
People of Kalahandi have been struggling for a Central University for the past two decades for which the Chief Minister of Orissa promised to establish a Central University in Kalahandi in May 2008, said Lily Behera from Texas, US. Though it was expected that the proposed new Central University of Orissa will come up at Bhawanipatna as it meets all infrastructure cited by MHRD and is centrally located in KBK, Naveen Patnaik later decided to shift it to Koraput keeping political advantage in mind, she alleged.
Earlier, many petitions were given to the Prime Minister praying for justice towards the injustice caused by the Chief Minister of Orissa to the people of Kalahandi which are still pending, said Lingaraj Patra from Tokyo, Japan.
In the past couple of years, the State Government has proposed the Central Government to establish a CUO at Koraput, a branch of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) in Phulbani and an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Berhampur, all of them in South Orissa, said Atmaram Thakur. But no national institution has been proposed in the Western Orissa region during this period, he lamented.
It would be wise to establish a new campus of CUO in those regions of the State which are backward and needs attention in higher education in Western Orissa, and not in Bhuabneswar region, which is already hosting many similar establishments of high repute, said Maitreyee Behera.
By proposing a second campus of CUO in a rented house in Bhubaneswar, the VC is diluting the importance of its establishment in the backward KBK, alleged Ramakanta Acharya.
All of them are strongly opposing the move adding that in case of a second campus of CUO, it should be established in Bhawanipatna.
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.
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.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Expected that the proposed new varsity will come up at Bhawanipatna, Mr.Patnaik decided it to set up at Koraput keeping political advantage in sight
Tathya.in, April 26, 2009
Koraput:26/April/2009
First it was Centre.
And now it is turn of officials.
All play with the fate of the much-awaited central university in Orissa’s Koraput district.
Centre took a lot of time for granting a central university for Orissa.
Though it was expected that the proposed new varsity will come up at Bhawanipatna, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided it to set up at Koraput.
That’s only keeping political advantage in sight.
And the centre after lot of noise sanctioned Rs 1.20 crore for the central university at Koraput.
However, now its officials were not in a mood to go to the tribal dominated district.
The reason: lack of facilities like airport and modern health care units.
Surabhi Banerjee had been appointed as the first vice-chancellor of the central university at Koraput.
But, Prof. Banerjee, are in no mood to move to Koraput.
Sources said, the VC had been persuading the state government officials to open temporary campus of the varsity in the state capital instead of going to Koraput.
The newly formed central university authorities claimed that the academic activities could begin from temporary campus here till the building was constructed at Koraput.
By the time, the building would be over; Prof Banerjee’s term could end.
Therefore, though the credit of becoming the first VC of the central university at Koraput goes to her, she will skip the tribal dominated district.
Prof Banerjee’s attempt to open temporary campus is, however, not supported by many in the state.
The authorities could find a suitable place for running the temporary campus in Koraput itself, they argued.
But Prof. Banerjee was not ready to accept the fact because of one simple reason that they would stay in Koraput.
Though Koraput did not have air link, it was well connected with rail line.
Therefore, the students and faculty should have no problem in making to and fro from the place.
Despite that, Koraput, the major district in the infamous KBK region, would be literally deprived up of getting a central university even as it had been sanctioned by the centre.
The central university in Koraput in all probability will face the fate of the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) which had its headquarters in the state capital for a long time.
Koraput:26/April/2009
First it was Centre.
And now it is turn of officials.
All play with the fate of the much-awaited central university in Orissa’s Koraput district.
Centre took a lot of time for granting a central university for Orissa.
Though it was expected that the proposed new varsity will come up at Bhawanipatna, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided it to set up at Koraput.
That’s only keeping political advantage in sight.
And the centre after lot of noise sanctioned Rs 1.20 crore for the central university at Koraput.
However, now its officials were not in a mood to go to the tribal dominated district.
The reason: lack of facilities like airport and modern health care units.
Surabhi Banerjee had been appointed as the first vice-chancellor of the central university at Koraput.
But, Prof. Banerjee, are in no mood to move to Koraput.
Sources said, the VC had been persuading the state government officials to open temporary campus of the varsity in the state capital instead of going to Koraput.
The newly formed central university authorities claimed that the academic activities could begin from temporary campus here till the building was constructed at Koraput.
By the time, the building would be over; Prof Banerjee’s term could end.
Therefore, though the credit of becoming the first VC of the central university at Koraput goes to her, she will skip the tribal dominated district.
Prof Banerjee’s attempt to open temporary campus is, however, not supported by many in the state.
The authorities could find a suitable place for running the temporary campus in Koraput itself, they argued.
But Prof. Banerjee was not ready to accept the fact because of one simple reason that they would stay in Koraput.
Though Koraput did not have air link, it was well connected with rail line.
Therefore, the students and faculty should have no problem in making to and fro from the place.
Despite that, Koraput, the major district in the infamous KBK region, would be literally deprived up of getting a central university even as it had been sanctioned by the centre.
The central university in Koraput in all probability will face the fate of the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) which had its headquarters in the state capital for a long time.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
People repeat Central University demand during election 2009
The Statesman (Kolkata), April 14, 2009
BHAWANIPATNA, April 13: During elections, Kalahandi turns out to be a favourite destination for the national level political leaders. They seem to be living in the past, when the district had earned notoriety for child sale and hunger deaths and fail to address real issues, as they are sadly out of touch with the problems faced by people of the district today.
Kalahandi has, to a large extent, overcome the acute poverty and distress-related child sale and hunger death syndrome. It has developed a fairly decent irrigation network and is faced with a multitude of new challenges and issues.
But political parties fail to appreciate the ground reality as they whirr around in choppers addressing election meetings.
With the election temperature rising the contesting candidates as well as their respective Central leaders, be it Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Rahul Gandhi, Mr LK Advani or chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik, all have ignored the current issues concerning the people of this region.
The closest that they get to the matters concerning people here is when they refer to the KBK package, a decade old scheme or the more recent extension of it christened as Biju KBK programme.
The voters attend the election meetings with the hope of hearing the leaders addressing their problems like non-payment of support price to farmers, deplorable road condition, establishment of technical institutes and central university, mega projects like Vedanta Aluminium Plant related displacement and environment impacts.
Their hopes are based on the fact that some political leaders had raised some of these points before the elections.
But, strangely, with the campaign tempo picking up all of it has been engulfed by rhetoric, accusations against each other and promises.
For instance the Hati river problem. Surplus water of Indravati reservoir is released to the Hati river and during monsoon this causes flood almost every year. The river bridge gets submerged and road communication near Junagarh over NH 201 comes to a grinding halt for days till the water recedes.
Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for a second bridge over the river five years ago near Karmeli ghat and another near Junagarh.
But even after five years of his rule the bridges are yet to come up and still worse nobody questions nor does Mr Patnaik explain as to why he has not fulfilled the promise made five years ago.
The district does not have a technical education college. During last elections, foundation stone for a medical college at Jaring was laid with the promise that a 200 bed hospital will come up.
Not a brick has been laid over the last five years for this medical college and hospital project. The chief minister, however, continues to hop around in a chopper canvassing for votes telling people how his government was committed to uplift of tribals and development of backward regions.
People of the district have staged agitation demanding establishment of a central university, they have, in the past three to four years met the chief minister on this demand. No commitment has been made till date.
....................
BHAWANIPATNA, April 13: During elections, Kalahandi turns out to be a favourite destination for the national level political leaders. They seem to be living in the past, when the district had earned notoriety for child sale and hunger deaths and fail to address real issues, as they are sadly out of touch with the problems faced by people of the district today.
Kalahandi has, to a large extent, overcome the acute poverty and distress-related child sale and hunger death syndrome. It has developed a fairly decent irrigation network and is faced with a multitude of new challenges and issues.
But political parties fail to appreciate the ground reality as they whirr around in choppers addressing election meetings.
With the election temperature rising the contesting candidates as well as their respective Central leaders, be it Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Rahul Gandhi, Mr LK Advani or chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik, all have ignored the current issues concerning the people of this region.
The closest that they get to the matters concerning people here is when they refer to the KBK package, a decade old scheme or the more recent extension of it christened as Biju KBK programme.
The voters attend the election meetings with the hope of hearing the leaders addressing their problems like non-payment of support price to farmers, deplorable road condition, establishment of technical institutes and central university, mega projects like Vedanta Aluminium Plant related displacement and environment impacts.
Their hopes are based on the fact that some political leaders had raised some of these points before the elections.
But, strangely, with the campaign tempo picking up all of it has been engulfed by rhetoric, accusations against each other and promises.
For instance the Hati river problem. Surplus water of Indravati reservoir is released to the Hati river and during monsoon this causes flood almost every year. The river bridge gets submerged and road communication near Junagarh over NH 201 comes to a grinding halt for days till the water recedes.
Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for a second bridge over the river five years ago near Karmeli ghat and another near Junagarh.
But even after five years of his rule the bridges are yet to come up and still worse nobody questions nor does Mr Patnaik explain as to why he has not fulfilled the promise made five years ago.
The district does not have a technical education college. During last elections, foundation stone for a medical college at Jaring was laid with the promise that a 200 bed hospital will come up.
Not a brick has been laid over the last five years for this medical college and hospital project. The chief minister, however, continues to hop around in a chopper canvassing for votes telling people how his government was committed to uplift of tribals and development of backward regions.
People of the district have staged agitation demanding establishment of a central university, they have, in the past three to four years met the chief minister on this demand. No commitment has been made till date.
....................
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