CM allays fears, second campus to be expedited

The State Government will take expeditious steps for setting up the second campus of Ravenshaw University at Naraj, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told mediapersons here on Thursday. The statement came in the wake of apprehensions over dumping of the project by the Government as the foundation laying programme by the Chief Minister on the varsity foundation day was cancelled abruptly.

Addressing students and faculty of the university on its Foundation Day, Naveen stated that the Government was committed to the development of higher education in the State. Centres of Excellence like IIT, NISER, NLUO and AIIMS were being established while steps being taken for creation of job opportunities, he said.

Higher Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra, MP Bhartruhari Mahtab and MLA Debasish Samantray, however, were quite vocal on the issue of fast-tracking the second campus project. While Patra said money will not be a constraint and expansion of the historic Ravenshaw University would be expedited, Debasish Samantray offered an explanation that the foundation stone laying ceremony was cancelled as it was clashing with the Thursday function. The ceremony would be held at a separate function soon.

Fears over stalling of the second campus project have been raised as the Government is yet to commit funds for it. Though around 126 acres of the required 150 acres land had been allotted and registered in the university’s name, the funds are not forthcoming. Only around Rs 1.20 crore for construction of the boundary wall has been sanctioned, which in itself, is short of requirement. The university has requested for funding of around ` 180 crore.  Among others, MP Shashi Bhusan Behera, MLA Pravat Biswal, Mayor Soumendra Ghosh and Vice-Chancellor Prof BC Tripathy were present.