| KalingaTimes Correspondent The Union Minister's assurance came when the Chief Minister met him here on Tuesday. Patnaik urged Singh to set up a new IIT in Orissa stating that the State did not have a single educational institution of national excellence so far. The demand for an IIT in the State had gained strength after the United Progressive Alliance Government recently clarified in Parliament that there was no plan to set up an IIT in the State during the 11th Plan Period. Earlier, Patnaik had also written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention in the matter. Orissa was in need of higher educational institutions to meet its requirement of well-trained professionals in view of the industrial growth taking place in the State in the recent years, Patnaik said. The demand for an IIT continues to be in focus in Orissa with different political parties and other organisations organising dharnas and demonstrations to highlight the issue during the past few days. According to an official release, during his meeting with Singh on Tuesday Patnaik also raised the demand for setting up of an Indian Institute of Management in the State and a Central University in the backward Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput region. Singh, however, did not give any assurance with regard to these demands. |
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Kalinga Times: Centre will consider IIT for Orissa - Arjun Singh
Monday, May 14, 2007
Telegraph : BJD youth wing to launch a state-wide protest
Youths of BJD picks up fight |
| OUR CORRESPONDENT |
| Bhubaneswar, May 14: A day after the Opposition resolved to protest against the state’s BJD-BJP government, the youth wing of the BJD today announced to launch a state-wide stir to protest against the UPA’s apathy towards Orissa’s issues. Talking to reporters here today, BJD general secretary and the state’s energy and IT minister Surya Narayan Patro alleged that the UPA government has been harsh towards Orissa. He lamented that the Union HRD minister’s decision to establish three IITs in Orissa, Bihar and Rajasthan, was subsequently changed, “denying” Orissa its rightful claim. He further pointed out to the decision taken by the Centre to not to pursue the plan of an off-campus of Kharagpur, IIT, denying a better future to Orissa yet again. Several mass organisations have already launched agitation against the Congress-led UPA government and staged demonstrations before the Parliament over the IIT issue. Apparently in a bid to seize the opportunity to launch a tirade against the Congress, the ruling regional outfit has decided to raise the bogey of central neglect, political observers believe. Citing other instances of “central neglect” and “step-motherly treatment”, Patro said the Centre had provided a meagre Rs 60 crore to Orissa under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutkaran Yojana, as against the Rs 300 crore to Uttar Pradesh. Their decision to exclude sparsely-populated regions from the scheme would affect the tribal and backward regions of the states, he rued. |
Friday, May 11, 2007
Pragativadi on CM's letter to PM
IIT issue: Navin dashes letter to PM
Bhubaneswar: Close on the heels of the outright rejection of the Centre to set up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Orissa, chief minister Navin Patnaik on Thursday dashed a letter to prime minister Manmohan Singh in this connection.
The letter stated that the recent reply of Union minister of state for human resource development on the floor of the Parliament regarding establishment of IITs in the country has come as a shock to us.
Expressing deep anguish and surprise over the double entendre by the Centre in this connection, Patnaik, in his letter, reminded the prime minister of the announcement made by the Union minister of state for HRD Mohd Fatmi on August 28 last year in Patna that
Orissa was included in the proposal for three green field IITs in the 11th Five Year Plan.
It is indeed painful that this announcement has been reversed by the ministry of HRD for reasons not known to others, he noted.
Patnaik also went on saying that since Orissa has no institute of excellence in higher learning, there was a proposal to open a branch of IIT, Kharagpur, in Bhubaneswar for which the state government had promised land of nearly 300 acres.
It appears that even this proposal has been turned down, he observed.
Referring to his earlier meting with the honourable HRD minister in this connection, the chief minister said that the latter had told him that the case of Orissa can be considered for a full-fledged green field IIT.
The recent decision of government of India to locate the IITs in states which already have the benefit of many Central institutes indicates that objective criteria have not been followed in deciding the locations of the three IITs, he said, and requested the prime minister to include Orissa’s case in the 11th Five-Year Plan.
It may be mentioned here that the ruling BJP and BJD MPs of Orissa had staged a walkout in the Parliament on Tuesday followed by a sit-in dharna in front of the Parliament on the next day in protest against the statement of Union minister of state for Human Resource Development D Purandeshwari that the Centre has no plans to set up an IIT in Orissa in near future.
They also threatened to take to the streets till the demand of the state is met by the Centre.
More news items on CM writes to PM again
- India eNews
- New Kerala
- New Indian Express
- Kalinga Times
- India Edu news.net
- Dharitri
- Samaja
- Sambada
- Pragativadi
Orissa not to have a premier IIT institute: state government calls it unfortunate
| Orissa not to have a premier IIT institute: state government calls it unfortunate | ||
| By Deepak Kumar Mohanty | ||
May 11: The people of Orissa have expressed the central government’s decision for not setting up an Indian Institute of Technology IIT in the state as unfortunate. In the parliamentary session, on Tuesday, the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, D.Purandeshwari, confirmed that the centre had no plan to set up an IIT in Orissa.
From a long time the people of Orissa have demanded a premier institute but the present UPA government has undermined the state government’s demand and also the will of the people, which can be realized as against democratic set up.
Though the UPA government has approved to set up three new IIT institutes at Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar but it has sideline the same for Orissa state. The fact that despite the state attracting huge amount of foreign investments for its mineral resources has not been helped with proper infrastructure is really unfortunate. Orissa is going to have India’s highest FDI with Korean steel maker POSCO and apart from it Mital Steel has also signed an agreement with the state government. Under these developments, the demand for IIT is unavoidable.
Earlier the state government informed the centre to provide 300 acres land and forwarded a proposal to set up an IIT in the state. Even IIT-Kharagpur has made a proposal for setting up an extensive campus in Bhubaneswar. The centre did earlier approve the proposal but the present government has ruled it out. The BJD-BJP coalition government in the state and the people of Orissa see it as ignorance on the part of central government.
The BJD and BJP MPs have already shown their dissatisfaction inside and outside parliament. Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, has also written a letter to the Prime Minister in this regard.
The Biju Janata Dal in the state is trying to provide for the positive results in future as far as vote bank is concerned. The Congress Party’s position is really worse in the state; and such ignorance can further weaken its position in the state.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
India eNews: Political activists, students demand IIT for Orissa
Political activists, students demand IIT for Orissa
(Also in New Kerala)
Hundreds of students and political activists Thursday demanded the central government set up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Orissa, a day after the government said it had no such plan.
Over 300 activists of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged demonstration in front of the Raj Bhaban here, the official residence of Governor Rameshwar Thakur.
Students of Rupalli Vidyapitha, a residential school in the city, also launched a signature campaign to press the demand for setting up the premier engineering institute.
Orissa does not have any institute of national repute like the IITs, Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) or Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Samir Mohanty said.
The central government had earlier promised to set up an IIT but it did not keep its promise, he alleged.
On Wednesday, Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeshwari categorically said in parliament that the central government had no plan to set up an IIT in Orissa.
The minister said this replying to call attention notices given by some Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members.
BJD and BJP MPs of Orissa had staged a protest at the main gate of the Parliament House Wednesday demanding an IIT in the state and denouncing the apathetic attitude of the HRD ministry.
'We will continue our fight against the step motherly attitude of the central government towards Orissa,' state BJP MP Jual Oram told IANS.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has described the central government's rejection of setting up an IIT in Orissa as 'unfortunate' and said BJD-BJP combine will take the issue to the streets.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Analyzing some excerpts of the Indian Express article on “No IIT in Orissa”
Following is an excerpt from the Indian Express article.
Replying to the calling attention, Minister of State for Human Resources D Purandareswari said … As she proceeded to read out a list of educational institutions in the state that were receiving Central assistance—it was in answer to criticism that the state was being discriminated against—the NDA members began protesting, claiming the assistance was paltry. At this BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra rose to say, “There has been injustice against Orissa,” and led the NDA camp in a walkout.
Two comments:
1. Its laughable that the minister was reading out educational institutions in Orissa that receive central assistance. Every state has such institutions. What we are talking about is institutions like IIT that are international brands; institutions that are fully funded by MHRD; institutions like IIT, IIM, SPA, IIIT, IISc, IISER and Central Universities.
2. It is significant that the NDA leader of the Lok Sabha led the walk out and said what he said. I hope if and when the NDA comes to power he and other NDA leaders will come to Orissa’s aid and make things more equitable.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Tathya.in: IIT Orissa hits Central wall
Though today they have lost a battle but are hopeful of winning a war.
Members of the Lok Sabha from Orissa fought a united battle over the most emotive issue-setting up an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in the state.
Both BJD and BJP members joined hands to put pressure on the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to revise its decision over IIT in Orissa.
Raising the issue over a calling attention motion in Lok Sabha on May 8 here, Braja Kishore Tripathy (BJD) said the central government had initially approved setting up of an IIT in Orissa but later changed the decision on political considerations.
He said that the Minister of State for Human Resource Development (HRD) M M Fatmi, who announced at Patna in August 2006 that an IIT will be set up in Orissa.
The BJD MP asked then why the decision was changed at a later stage.
Besides an IIT, Mr. Tripathy demanded an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and asked the UPA government to approve a proposal by IIT-Kharagpur to set up an extension campus in Bhubaneswar.
BJD member Bhartruhari Mahtab alleged that the UPA government has been ignoring Orissa over economic and social development.
He wanted to know the amount of investment of central funds for the development of education in the backward state by the HRD Ministry.
BJD's Prasana Acharya said with the huge investment percolating to Orissa to set up mega industrial projects, the justification for an IIT and IIM is a foregone conclusion.
Mr.Achrya demanded a special treatment for the educationally backward state like Orissa from the HRD Ministry.
BJP member Mahameghabahan Aira Kharbela Swain also demanding the IIT, he asked the government what the criteria for selecting locations for new IITs are.
Jual Oram from BJP also expressed concern about the callousness of the Centre in neglecting the educationally backward state like Orissa.
The government Tuesday ruled out setting up an IIT in Orissa, saying it has already approved three such institutes in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Replying to the issues raised by the MPs, Minister of State for Human Resource Development D Purandeshwari ruled out setting up an IIT in Orissa.
She said the three new IITs were decided on recommendations of the Planning Commission and Prime Minister's Scientific Advisory Council.
However, Mrs. Purandeshwari said Mr. Fatmi has never made such a statement.
She said that a new IIT would cost over Rs 1,000 crore, adding the government had never decided to set up such an institution in Orissa.
Dissatisfied with her reply, BJP and BJD along with the other NDA members staged a walkout.
Later speaking to media BJP MP Mr.Oram said that as the UPA government setting up the educational institutions on political considerations, we will continue to hammer the government over the issue of IIT-Orissa till the demand is fulfilled.
He said “we are hopeful of winning the war, though we have lost a battle today as the people of Orissa are behind us”.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Sambada: Why a movement for establishing an IIT?
Sambada Editorial page article(pdf) by Prof. Chitta Baral. (Thanks to Sambada editor and staff for the translation.) The original article in English is available in word and pdf. Tathya.in published it in English with some editorial changes.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Tathya.in: Orissa Higher Education minister demands for an IIT and KBK Central university
With Orissa reiterating its demand for an IIT and a central university (CU) in KBK region, the conference of the education ministers held here on April 11 has endorsed a proposal to upgrade a state university to that of a central one.
So now the chances of having a central university with UGC funding in Orissa looks bright with the today’s endorsement.
Presenting the case of Orissa, Samir Dey, the Higher Education minister said that there is a long standing demand for establishment of a central university in the KBK region of the state considering the tribal concentration.
He said chief minister Naveen Patnaik has time and again demanded the same, which will benefit the states like Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Chhstisgarh.
Raising the issue of IIT, Samir said that with the vibrant growth in industrial and technical sector in Orissa establishment of an IIT will greatly intensify the process which is of critical importance to make the industry globally competitive.
The minister repeating the state’s demand for an IIT he said that the chief minister has also requested the prime minister to upgrade the extension centre of IIT Kharagpur at Bhubaneswar, which have been turned down.
He demanded for review of the decision in upgrading the facility in Orissa.
Dey also asked the HRD ministry to upgrade the proposed NISER to an Indian Institute of Science at par with IISc, Bangalore.
Raising the issue of National Law University (NLU), Dey announced that the state government will be tabling a bill during the next session of Assembly for setting up a NLU in the state with substantial financial support.
Asking for an institution like Indian Institute of Material Science (IIMC), Dey said it will facilitate development in the industrial and mining sector.
For better administration in the college system of the state, the minister impressed upon the HRD ministry to fund the e-connectivity program, which is to be taken up in the colleges.
Delay in NAAC accreditation is a nagging problem and Dey asked HRD minister Arjun Singh to intervene in the matter.
He also asked UGC authorities to take expeditious steps to ensure NAAC visit the left out colleges.
The minister also asked for funding of the Ravenshaw University by the UGC.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Orissadiary's coverage of the rally
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Criticising the UPA Government at the Centre for neglecting the cause of the State, they also demanded upgradation of the University College of Engineering (UCE) at Burla as an Indian Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology (IIEST). In a memorandum, the members of Agami Odisha urged President APJ Abdul Kalam to intervene in the matter to ensure development of educational and scientific infrastructure in the State.
Participating in the rally, Biju Janata Dal leader and Rajya Sabha MP Baijayanta Panda announced that Agami Odisha will organise similar rallies in different corners of the State to highlight the two demands. Among others who took part in the rally, include Lok Sabha MP from Kendrapara Archana Nayak, well-known singer Prafulla Kar and several eminent educationists and social activists. The office-bearers of Agami Odisha - D K Ray (president), Lalit Pattnaik (working president), Sudarshan Das (vice-president), Santosh Tripathy (secretary) and Supriti Mishra (treasurer) - were present.
Agami Odisha has decided to organise a similar rally in
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Media images from the IIT rally
From kalingatimes.com (MP Baijayanta Panda in front of the mike and Singer Prafulla Kar watchinh him from close quarters)
From Tathya.in (Budhia Singh on the right holding the plackard)
Tathya.in: ‘Chacha Kalam’ plz listen
Like any other children in the country child prodigy Budhia Singh has great faith on the President A P J Abdul Kalam.
So on Sunday morning Budhia leaving his daily marathon practice marched to Raj Bhawan to send his missive to his beloved ‘Chacha Kalam’ for a noble cause.
And he has all faith on 'Chacha Prez', said Budhia.
He joined the elite bandwagon of Orissa to seek indulgence of the President of India to use his good offices for the cause of educational and scientific infrastructure of the state.
A five year old slogan shouting Budhia with a placard in his hand demanding an IIT for the state was the star attraction of the Agami Odisha rally, which was organized to draw attention of the callous central leadership.
In a memorandum presented to the Raj Bhawan officials in absence of the Governor, intelligentsias of the state demanded establishment of an IIT in Orissa and up grading UCE Burla to the status of Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology (IIEST).
Agami Odisha, an apolitical platform of eminent scientists, educationists, social activists and people from various walks of life is championing the cause of the state on various developmental issues.
As establishment of an IIT has become an emotive issue for the people of the state, the leading civil society organization took the lead in generating public opinion for a reasonable cause.
While BJD MP Baijayant Panda joining the march criticized the callous attitude of the UPA government, play back singer Prafulla Kar sang a different tune.
Kar blamed the Members of Parliament (MP) from Orissa, who are equally dormant over raising the issue of IIT.
How ever noted environmentalist Nadia Chand Kanungo charged the Centre of “virtually looting” the state in the name of mineral development and demanded a White Paper on the export of minerals from the state during last 15 years, echoing the demand for an IIT.
While thanking the President Dr.Kalam for his initiative to set up a NISER in Orissa the assembly of intelligentsia appealed him to lend his support for an IIT and declaration of UCE, Burla as ITSER.
Announcing the next course of action Agami Odisha President Dhirendra Kumar Ray said on May 15, we will be demonstrating before the Parliament to ventilate our grievances.
Kalinga Times: Agami Odisha members demand IIT for Orissa
| KalingaTimes Correspondent Bhubaneswar: A large number of people from various walks of life came under the banner of social organisation Agami Odisha and held a rally outside Raj Bhavan here on Sunday demanding establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology in Orissa. Criticising the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre | |
| for neglecting the cause of the State, they also demanded upgradation of the University College of Engineering (UCE) at Burla as an Indian Institute of Engineering, Science & Technology (IIEST). Orissa, being one of the poorest states in terms of infrastructure in education and technology, needs establishment of an IIT more than any other state, the activists said. In a memorandum, the members of Agami Odisha urged President APJ Abdul Kalam to intervene in the matter to ensure development of educational and scientific infrastructure in the State. Mentioning that the demands for an ITT and declaration of the UCE at Burla as an IIEST were `extremely reasonable', the activists appealed to the President to lend support to the cause. Participating in the rally, Biju Janata Dal leader and Rajya Sabha MP Baijayanta Panda announced that Agami Odisha will organise similar rallies in different corners of the State to highlight the two demands. Among others who took part in the rally, include Lok Sabha MP from Kendrapara Archana Nayak, well-known singer Prafulla Kar and several eminent educationists and social activists. The office-bearers of Agami Odisha - D K Ray (president), Lalit Pattnaik (working president), Sudarshan Das (vice-president), Santosh Tripathy (secretary) and Supriti Mishra (treasurer) - were present. Agami Odisha, which has started forming a Social Force comprising those concerned for the State's development, has decided to organise a similar rally in New Delhi later this month to highlight the demands. | |
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Tathya.in: Intellectuals to hit street for IIT
Social activists have out smart the politicians, who have shied out to take up the cause of setting up of an IIT in Orissa.
Finally they have decided to hit the streets for the cause of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
Social activists under the auspices of Agamee Odisha, the leading social organization have announced to organize a mass rally and present a memorandum to the Governor Rameswar Thakur.
Lalit Pattnaik, Working President of Agamee Odisha said that all the members, supportive organizations and Swabhimani Odias to join the Mass rally at the Governor's House on April,8.
The demand for sanctioning an IIT in Orissa and upgrading University College of Engineering (UCE), Burla to IIEST will be harped on, said Patnaik.
The Memorandum will be sent for Prime Minister of India through Governor of Orissa.
The rally will start from AG square to Raj Bhawan on April 8, Sunday and the duration is from 8.30 am to 11 am.
Agami Odisha & Alumni UCE requests all Odia Budhijibi will express their concern over Center’s apathy on setting up of an IIT at Bhubaneswar.
The Non Resident Oriyas (NRO)s have also assured all out logistic and moral support in this regard.
It is being planned to take up demonstration in foreign countries’ Embassy and High Commission offices.
Dharana and Rally at Parliament House, New Delhi has also been scheduled on 15th May'07.
For further details contact: Lalit Pattnaik
Vice President , Agamee Odisha (M)-9338232298
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Tathya.in: IIT issue rocks Orissa assembly
Letter writing obsession of Naveen Patnaik received a jolt from his BJP partner in Orissa Legislative Assembly on March 29.
The concept of sending missives to Centre on burning issues and wait for the wind fall gain did not cut ice with BJP legislator Mahesh Sahu.
On the other hand Mahesh echoed the Biju Patnaik agenda of “Economic Blockade” to bring home the point.
He said central leadership is highly insensitive and thick skinned over the ever daunting problems of Orissa.
They see everything on political lines, he alleged.
They will not respond to our needs, unless we adopt the Biju Agenda of economic barriers to put forth our demand, he added.
Mahesh was participating in a debate on a calling attention notice over Centre’s neglect on setting up IIT in Orissa.
He said with massive industrialization in offing the requirement of engineers of IIT background will be high.
Keeping this in view we must force the Centre for an IIT by adopting Economic Blockade.
BJP member Aswini Kumar Patra those days are gone when Oriyas are used to go as “Kuli and Mulia”, now we have to put forth our demand in a forceful manner not meek and mildly to get the point.
Patra suggested a House Committee be formed under the chairmanship of the speaker and a delegation may visit New Delhi to press the IIT issue.
Industries minister B B Harichandan replying the debate said that the state government has once again brought to the notice of the Centre on setting up of a IIT for which a land of 300 acre has been identified which will be provided free of cost.
He said since 2003 the government is in constant touch with the Centre through letters and recently Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written letter to Prime Minister Dr.Man Moahn Singh objecting the decision of the Centre to shift the proposed IIT of Orissa to Andhra Pradesh.
Minister informed the House that the state government was sure of the IIT project as minister of state (MOS) of HRD M A Fatmi has assured through an announcement but it came as a shock when media highlighted about the shifting of the institution to the other state.