Tuesday, December 13, 2005
LS okays Manipur University Bill
The Manipur University Bill, 2005, which was approved by Rajya Sabha on November 30, was passed by voice vote in Lok Sabha with Minister of State for HRD Kanti Singh saying resource crunch was the only problem in giving a categoric assurance that more central universities would be established in other North-Eastern States as well.
She said State Governments, along with the University Grants Commission, had to provide assistance to these universities and the States were facing a severe resource crunch at the moment.
Not satisfied with her reply and seeking a categoric assurance from her, two BJP members from the North-East Khiren Rijiju and Tapir Gao walked out of the House though their party colleagues sat inside."
We believe in action and not mere assurances," Kanti Singh asserted and maintained the Centre was alive to the necessity of establishing universities in these States. She said the proposal had already been taken to the Planning Commission and expressed confidence that a decision was likely to be taken soon.
The Minister said the UPA Government issued an ordinance in this regard as the academic session was already on the anvil and appointments made to several top posts including Vice Chancellor, Registrar and Financial Officer.
Participating in the discussion, members hailed the decision to convert Manipur University into a Central University and called for setting up of more such institutions for spread of higher education in backward States.
Khiren Rijiju (BJP) said the Government should bring a legislation in right earnest for setting up such universities in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Tripura.
He said while giving Manipur University central status, an impression should not gain ground that "one gets a reward only after trouble is made". Thokchom Meinya (Cong) said the Centre has fulfilled a long felt demand by giving Manipur University the Central status.
Basudeb Burman (CPI-M) pointed out that the Bill is silent on University's constitution and hoped the First Executive Council would initiate steps in this direction.
Mohan Singh (SP) wondered when other regions had universities, why was the North-East left out. Giridhar Gamang (Cong) highlighted the need for a central university in Orissa's backward and tribal-dominated regions.
Tapir Gao (BJP) demanded a central university for Arunachal Pradesh.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Backward districts of Orissa
Super backward: The Undivided KBK districts comprsising of Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Nowrangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur are in a category beyond the list of backward districts of India.The two listed backward districts-extremely affetcted areas of Orissa are: Gajapati (adjacent to Rayagada to the east) and Ganjam.
The above two and other backward districts of India are shown in http://www.mapsofindia.com/economy/backward-district-of-india.html
Manipur University bill : Rajya Sabha nod
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1313123.cms
http://www.hindu.com/2005/12/01/stories/2005120101131300.htm
NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill to convert the Manipur University into a Central University with Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh promising such institutions in the Northeastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim as well.
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The above is a good idea. But why not such universities in other backward areas of India, especially in district clusters that are labelled backward (such as KBK).
See
http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/pl50ndc/orissa.pdf
(Note KBK is not in the above list probably because KBK comes under a special category already and is covered by RTLAP)
http://www.mapsofindia.com/economy/backward-district-of-india.html
http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/stateplan/guid_rsvy.pdf
http://www.iipsindia.org/rp%5Chd%5Cchep4.pdf
http://lists.cs.columbia.edu/pipermail/ornet/2005-April/009764.html
