KBK Adivasi Central University & similar ones in other backward-n-tribal district clusters

State BJP repeated demand for IIT and Central University in Orissa

2007-10-30T00:32:00.000-07:00

The New Indian Express, Oct 30, 2007
W Orissa neglected, says BJP

BHUBANESWAR/BHAWANIPATNA: Ties between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reached a new low on Monday with the latter alleging that the State Government is neglecting the western and southern Orissa districts where the party has a base.

Though the BJP did not hit out at the ‘Big Brother’ openly, the tone and tenor of the speeches of the grassroots level leaders at the meeting hinted that the alliance is almost over at the village and block levels.

BJP general secretary Vinay Katiyar’s directive to the State functionaries to prepare the party machinery for election in all the 147 constituencies conveyed the feeling that the party is not prepared to take things lying down any more.

Addressing a media conference, State BJP president Suresh Pujari expressed concern over the deteriorating standard of higher education in the State and demanded that vacant posts of lecturers in the backward districts should be filled up.

Criticising the State Government’s new policy of giving block grants to school and colleges, Pujari said the system of regular grants should be reintroduced. Stating that Kalahandi needed special attention in the field of road communication and education, Pujari demanded that the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) should be made autonomous. Pujari welcomed the industrial policy of the State Government.

He, however, observed that there should be rehabilitation and the affected families be given priority in employment. The political resolution adopted at the meeting criticised the Centre for neglecting the NDA-ruled States.

Alleging that institutions of higher education, including Central university, IIT and IIM are being diverted to neighbouring States ignoring the claim of Orissa, the party demanded that such institutions should be established in the State. Pujari demanded that all the villages in the State should be included in the village electrification programme and funding for KBK scheme be increased.

KBK Varsity likely to come up soon

2007-08-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

The Pioneer, Aug 15, 2007

Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar
... even as campaign for it gains momentum

Even as the civil society is rooting for a KBK University at the tribal town of Malkangiri in Orissa, Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D Purandeswari on Monday announced that the State's request for a Central University would receive due consideration.

Agami Odisha, which is spearheading the campaign for a KBK University, led a massive rally at Malkangiri on Monday to press demand for the promotion of education in the undivided districts of Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK). Almost a coincidence, Purandeswari, replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, said that a proposal to set up 16 Central Universities, one each in the States having no Central University, is in the process of being finalised. Orissa is among the States where there is no Central University at present.

Orissa's request for establishment of a Central University in the tribals-dominated KBK region would receive due consideration, she said. Further, a Bill for setting up a Central Tribal University is in the process of being introduced in the current session of the Parliament.

The proposed university shall have power to establish its regional centres in the areas inhabited by tribal populations, which could include the KBK region of Orissa, Purandeswari added.

On Monday, the entire masses of youth, intellectuals, former bureaucrats, businessmen and other members of the civil society of Malkangiri came out openly in favour of a KBK University. Local MLA Nimai Sarkar and senior legislator of Kodinga, Sadan Naik, along with their supporters, also joined the nearly one-km-long procession, which moved for two hours before culminating at the Collector's office, where he was presented a memorandum in support of the demand. The nearest Berhampur University is 500 km away from their place.

Similar report in Tathya.in

Central Tribal Varsity Being Planned In Orissa

2007-08-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

Newspostindia, Aug 13, 2007

Thousands of tribals in Orissa's poverty ridden Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput (KBK) districts may soon have access to better higher education with a central university being planned there.

The human resource development (HRD) ministry Monday said it was weighing a state government proposal to set up such a university in the region.

'Orissa being one of such states (without a central university), its request for establishment of a central university in the tribal-dominated KBK region shall receive due consideration,' Minister of State for HRD D. Purandeswari said.

'Further, a bill for setting up a central tribal university is in the process of being introduced in the current session of parliament,' Purandeswari informed the Rajya Sabha.

The proposed university shall have power to establish its regional centres in areas inhabited by tribals.

The HRD ministry had earlier said there was a proposal for setting up 16 central universities in states where there was no such university.

Several PIB releases on new central universities can be found at Orissalinks

Summary of mass movement in Malkangiri for a KBK central university: by Mr Lalit Patnaik

2007-08-13T03:54:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
On behalf of Agami Odisha, me and Dillip Sabat has been deputed to participate in the mass rally for demand of KBK university. Our President sri Dhiren Ray wished us good luck in the departing moment.
We have to travel 700 KM to reach Malkangiri from Bhubaneswar. 350 KM by Train up to Vizaynagaram, and subsequently by Bus another 225 Km through Ghat up to Jeypore and rest 125 Km through deep jungle to Malkangiri. We reached their in the early morning hours to be received by Malkangiri MLA Mr Nimai Sarkar and his associates. We proceeded to Dandakaranya Guest House and found Police in the nook and corner of Malkangiri town, the last one of Orissa before Chattishgarah. The town is Naxal infected and it needs courage to live there, for Police as well as for People.
Mr Sadan naik, MLA of Kodinga came along with his associate by 11 am and our rally started at 11.30 am from bus stand arena. I was really surprised to see the large gathering of students( Young men and women ) of not less than 1250 in number. There were around 250 Intellectuals, business men and retired old persons. The rally was led at three places, front one by Intellectuals, the middle one by the women students and the last one by Men students. the slogan of KBK University is our demand reverberated the high walls of Malkangiri Mountain and almost entire town was by the side road watching the marathon rally of nearly 1 Km long. The rally moved for 2 hours and culminated at Collector's Office. Collector rushed to his office from a meeting some where else so as to receive our Memorandum to the President of India. Even after handing over of memorandum, the students were in no mood to disperse but went on giving slogans for their right to have a
University around KBK. The people were aghast since long, because the nearest University of Berhampur is 500 Km away from their place.
Sincerity of their demand was well visible from the eyes of those boys as well as girl students. After wards, the president of their college walked close to me and expressed his thanks to Agamee odisha for taking up their cause. In return I assured him to carry their message to the Swabhimani odiya all over the world, to support in their endeavor to get an Central funded University at KBK.
They are struggling for their right to higher education, amidst the chaos of Naxalisim. They are not demanding their land to be annexed to Chattisgarah, a very close by State, nor are they demanding for more food or money but are only asking for a Central University, which we all should fight and get it for them, is not it. Are they not real swabhimani Odiya's ?.

While staying 700 Km away from the capital, they are reciting the song of Mother Odiya, day in and day out.

I salute them.

Yours,
Lalit Pattnaik

Other News coverage: Orissalink

TOI: Special plan envisages setting up of 30 Central Universities

2007-08-02T01:25:00.000-07:00

Times of India, Aug 2, 2007

NEW DELHI: In a major rollout for high and technical education, Planning Commission has proposed a seven-year special plan (2007-14) which includes setting up eight new IITs, seven new IIMs, 20 NITs, 20 IIITs and 50 centres for training and research in frontier areas.

Of the IITs, three have already been cleared and one IIM at Shillong has received the green signal. The seven-year special plan for higher and technical education would start in the 11th Plan and spill over to the next without being diluted. The plan panel has proposed a funding of Rs 1.31 lakh crore for the seven year plan.

The full Planning Commission will discuss the proposal threadbare when it meets on August 6 to deliberate exclusively on the impetus that should be delivered to education for the 11th Plan.

The special plan envisages setting up of 30 central universities. One central university will be located in each of the 16 uncovered states while 14 new ones of world class will come up in states which provide land free of cost in attractive locations.

These universities will have various schools including medical and engineering institutions. Also, 370 new degree colleges in districts with low gross enrolment ratio would be established and 6,000 colleges would be strengthened.
In the field of technical education, the seven-year plan talks of expansion and upgradation of 200 technical institutions in various states. There is also a plan to upgrade seven technical universities which include Bengal Engineering College, Howrah, Cochin University of Science & Technology, Andhra University Engineering College, Vishakapatnam, University Engineering College, Osmania University, Jadavpur University, Institute of Technology BHU and Zakir Husain College of Engineering & Technology, AMU.

Apart from eight IITs and seven IIMs, there is a plan to have five Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research, two Schools of Planning and Architecture, 20 National Institutes of Technology, 20 Indian Institutes of Information Technology and 50 centres of training and research in frontier areas.

The central assistance under the special plan has a very strong reform component and looks up to states to agree for a minimum set of reforms to restructure higher education system covering admission, revision in curricula, collaboration with foreign universities and networking.

Demand for KBK central varsity gains momentum: The Pioneer

2007-07-31T19:14:00.000-07:00

The Pioneer, Aug 1, 2007
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar

All KBK districts are echoing with the demand for a Central University in the region, thanks to the initiative of the intelligentsia in the area. For the last one-week, concerned citizens of the KBK districts have been meeting at different forums raising the demand. Meetings were organised at Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Jeypore, Koraput and Sunabeda, which culminated at a workshop in Koraput on Sunday.

People's representatives, intellectuals and a number of other leading citizens assembled at Koraput to chalk out the future plan. A well-documented presentation of Chitta Baral, professor of Arizona State University was discussed at length over the status of educational standards of the KBK districts vis-à-vis other parts of the State. Organisers like Umi Daniel and Saroj Padhi presented the research document.

Baral, sitting thousands miles away, was able to make an impact on the minds of all the 50 participants at the workshop. Agriculturist Bibhu Mohanty of Jeypore, who improvised Kala Jira Rice in Kalahandi on behalf of the Swaminathan group, highly appreciated the detailed study done by Baral.

Lalit M Patnaik of Agamee Odisha harped on the improvement of the poor standards of higher education in the State.

The meeting decided that crying over the poverty index is bringing shame to the State. So, the Infrastructure of progress should be referred to rather than the poverty index, which in itself is misleading about the progress of the State.

By taking seven sub-sectors of the infrastructure such as transport, energy, irrigation, banking, communication, education and health, one can really compute the composite development index of infrastructure for different districts of the State, said speakers.

Roar for KBK Central Univ: Tathya

2007-07-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Tatyha.in, July 30, 2007

Koraput:30/July/2007
Entire KBK districts are echoing with the demand for a Central University, thanks to the initiative of the intelligentsia of the area.

For last one week, concerned citizens of the KBK districts have been meeting at different forums, while raising their demand for a Central University.

Meetings were organized at Malkangiri, Nawrangpur, Jey pore, Koraput, Sunabeda, which culminated at Koraput on July 29.

The people’s representatives,intectuals and a number of leaders assembled here to chalk out the future plan.

A well documented presentation of Professor Chitta Baral of Arizona State University was discussed at length over the status of educational standard of the KBK districts vis-à-vis other parts of the state.

The organizers like Umi Daniel and Saroj Padhi presented the thorough researched document in a lucid manner, which has a long lasting impression on the participants of the workshop.

Prof.Baral sitting thousands miles away was able to make an impact on the minds of all the 50 participants, those who attended the meeting.

Agriculturist Bibhu Mohanty of Jeypore, who improvised "Kala Jira Rice" at Kalahandi on behalf of Swaminathan group, highly appreciated the detailed study done by Prof. Baral.

Lalit M Patnaik of Agamee Odisha harped on the improvement of the poor standards of higher education in the state.

Mr.Patnaik said that “they are not alone rather a large group of intellectuals inside the country and in abroad are behind the struggle to make Orissa the Major Destination of Higher Education”.

The meeting decided that crying over the poverty index is bringing shame to the state.

So the Infrastructure of Progress should be referred rather then the Poverty Index, which in itself is misleading about the progress of our State and it's Districts.

By taking seven sub-sectors of the infrastructure such as transport, energy, irrigation, banking, communication, education and health, we can really compute the composite development index of infrastructure for different districts of Orissa, said speakers in the meeting.

Pioneer: Demand for KBK Central varsity gains momentum

2007-07-23T19:11:00.000-07:00

July 24, 2007
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar

A meeting to chalk out the future course of action on demand of a KBK Central University was held at Malkanagiri. Local MLA Nimain Sarkar was the convener at the meeting, which was presided by RK Patra, a retired bureaucrat. Over 100 persons of the district, including senior citizens, intellectuals, educationists, journalists and representatives of civil society organisations attended the meeting.

A committee, KBK Bikas Parishad, was formed after the meeting with an aim to look into the various developmental aspects of the most neglected undivided KBK districts. RK Patra was nominated as the convener of the committee while Durga Prasad Tripathy was chosen as the president.

Ratnakar Dash was nominated as the general secretary of the committee. Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Prahallad Dora and MLA Nimain Sarkar were chosen as the advisers of the committee.

The committee alleged that the Central Government cheated the people of tribal KBK districts on many occasions. While it was decided to set up a KBK Central University at Koraput, it is now mysteriously shifted to another State by the order of the Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, the members of the committee alleged. Reiterating the demand for KBK Central University, the members warned of an intense mass movement throughout the State. However, the foundation of the movement will be laid on July 29 at Koraput meeting, which is going to be organised by Agami Orissa.

Meeting at Koraput on KBK Central University on 29th July: A message from Lalit Babu

2007-07-19T18:39:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,
As per Agami Odisha's action plan decided in the State level meeting on 8th July at Jayadev Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, to-day a meeting was held under the presidentship of sri DK Ray and that the KBK meeting has been scheduled on 29th July ( Sunday). The meeting will be organised at Koraput by our member Shri Sury Padhi ( M-9437011402) and Mr Uma Daniel( M-9437045008) . All are requested to co-operate and participate in the meeting.
People supporting our demand for KBK Central University are requested to assemble in the foothill of Lord Jagannath Temple , Koraput at 11 am on 29th July'07. Undersigned, Dr Santosh Tripathy our General Secy, Miss Satybhama Rath, Mrs Swgata Pattnaik and Mr Dillip Sabat will leave on 28th July'07. Any body interested to leave from bbsr may inform undersigned.

Thanking you,

Lalit Pattnaik,
Working President Agami Odisha

Lalit Pattnaik
(M)-9338232298

National tribal varsity branch soon in Jharkhand

2007-06-24T23:13:00.000-07:00

Jharkhand will soon house the Eastern India branch of national tribal university, chirstened Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU).

The committee of University Grant Commission (UGC) that has been asked to set up the IGNTU is looking for about 1,000 acres of land in Jharkhand for the purpose. The varsity, which will have its headquarters at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, will offer array of courses to students from across the country.

Dr Ram Dayal Munda, a member of the UGC committee, has been asked to look for land in Jharkhand, possibly in or around the State Capital. "The chairperson of the committee, Jose Verghese, has asked me to find a suitable piece of land here to house the IGNTU branch," Dr Munda told mediapersons.

Pioneer: Naveen shoots off letter to PM over central varsity in KBK

2007-06-19T18:28:00.001-07:00

Naveen shoots off letter to PM over central varsity in KBK

Pioneer News Service \| Bhubaneswar
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday once again stood up against the Centre's continuous apathetic attitude towards the State and shot off a letter to Prime Minister Monmohan Singh on Tuesday over the Centre's decision not to set up a central university for tribals of KBK region.

It may be noted that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government has decided to set up a central university for tribals in Madhya Pradesh

In his letter, Patnaik stated that recent newspaper reports indicated that the Centre had already approved establishment of a Tribal University in Amarkantak, Madya Pradesh but it seemed, Orissa, which deserves establishment of such a central University, had been overlooked. "Orissa's claim for establishment of a central University in the tribal-dominated KBK area of the State may please be given a favorable consideration," Patnaik stated in his letter. He further said that 38 per cent of the total population belonged to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, out of which the Scheduled Tribes population alone was about 22 per cent. Considering the concern for improving the quality of lives of SC and ST tribes, Patnaik said he had already taken up the issue of setting up a Central varsity in KBK with the Ministry of Human Resource Development so that poor meritorious students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes would have access to research facilities and training courses available in Central universities. And this is the logic based on which the Government has opened Central universities in the north-eastern States.

He further said it was needless to reiterate that Orissa had not only got high concentration of SC and ST population but about 48 per cent of the people were estimated to be living below the poverty line. As a result of this, meritorious students of Orissa were finding it difficult to study in advanced universities due to their poor financial condition.

Statesman: Naveen’s missive on varsity in KBK region

2007-06-19T18:27:00.001-07:00

Naveen’s missive on varsity in KBK region

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, June 19: Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik today sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, demanding the establishment of a Central university in the KBK (Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi) region.

The letter comes in the wake of the proposed Bill of the Central government to set up Central varsities across the country and reports that HRD minister Mr Arjun Singh had proposed to institute one such varsity for tribals in Madhya Pradesh.

Mr Patnaik, who had described MP getting precedence over Orissa as yet another instance of Central neglect towards the state, today said that 38 per cent population of the state belonged to Schedule Cast (SC) and Schedule Tribe (ST), including 22 per cent ST.

Moreover, about 48 per cent of people in Orissa live below poverty line. So a Central University in KBK region will help the SC/STs and other poor/meritorious students of the region to have higher education and research. This will bring qualitative development in their standard of living, he contended.

The CM referred to his discussions with the HRD minister last month and regretted that a genuine demand of Orissa had been ignored.
He hoped that the Prime Minister will take necessary steps to meet the genuine demands of people of Orissa.

New Indian Express: Orissa feels rejected once again

2007-06-19T18:25:00.000-07:00

Orissa feels rejected once again
Wednesday June 20 2007 00:00 IST

BHUBANESWAR: Denial of a central university to the State by the Union Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry has come as yet another instance of step-motherly attitude of the Centre towards Orissa.

The university will now be established at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, the home state of union HRD Minister Arjun Singh. The demand is pending since 1991 when the then Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had moved the Centre for upgradation of the Utkal University to a central university.

Naveen Patnaik raised the issue again after taking over as the Chief Minister in 2000. However, neither the previous NDA government nor the present UPA government considered the demand favourably.

The latest announcement by the Centre has come as a shock for the people of Orissa. The shifting of the central university to Madhya Pradesh has come after the State was deprived by the Centre from having the National Institute of Science (NIS) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

Describing this as another glaring instance of central neglect towards the State, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik told newspersons that his government would fight for establishment of the university in Orissa. Besides, the BJD would also organise state wide demonstration on the issue.

Underscoring the need for setting up the central university in KBK region, the Chief Minister said in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that this would immensely benefit the scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and families below the poverty line who are a majority.

Statesman: CM demands varsity in KBK region

2007-06-18T15:41:00.000-07:00

CM demands varsity in KBK region

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, June 18: Reacting to reports that the United Progressive Alliance government had decided to set up a central university for tribals in Madhya Pradesh, chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik said Orissa’s demanded one such varsity in the KBK region had been ignored by the centre. Giving his reactions to the visual media here, Mr Patnaik said it was yet another instance of central neglect. He said he would take up the matter with the UPA government.

Fax campaign against repeated injustice by MHRD

2007-06-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers:

I hope many of you are enraged and disgusted by this repeated injustice meted out to Orissa by the MHRD; especially now it seems that the MHRD has orchestrated hijacking of a good, sensible and extremely relevant idea proposed by our chief minister: the idea of tribal central university in the KBK region with the goal of catering to the 50% tribal population in that area and 38% tribal population across Orissa.

Often many have blamed the Orissa government for not taking timely initiatives or not coming up with innovative ideas, but this time it took the initiative, it suggested a great idea, followed up on it regularly, but the end result is same; the idea gets implemented in the home state of the minister of HRD Mr. Arjun Singh.

We must convey our displeasure, disgust, deep disappointment and anger to the central government. Please fax a letter to the PMO (fax numbers: 011-2301-8668, 2301-5470, 2301-5603, 2301-8939 ) and also fax a copy of that letter to the CMO (0674-2400100 ) and Mr. Chandrasekhar Sahu (011-23061695), the sole central minister from Orissa. After that we must follow-up with the CMO (cmo@ori.nic.in) by email and Mr. Sahu by phone (Personal Secy: 09868501233 off: 011-23792469, 23792470) and tell them to take our faxes and meet the PM and the national press with all our faxes and do a dharana until the two immediate injustices of moving an IIT in Orissa after it was announced and stealing the idea of a tribal university proposed for the KBK area are corrected. Following are some pointers and points which may help in writing your letter. I am making it short so that its easier for you to draft the letter.
On KBK Tribal Central University:

We have been keeping track of this in a blog of its own, http://kbkcentral.blogspot.com, since the idea was first formally mooted in October 2005. See also the earlier postings in this site under that category.
Oct 24 2005: The CM meets the HRD minister Mr. Arjun Singh and proposes the idea of a KBK Central University and Mr. Singh appreciates the idea. Following is an excerpt of a press release that discusses it.

… In addition to this, Shri Patnaik also requested for establishment of a Central University for the KBK Region, which is one of the most backward regions in the country. He pointed out that there was a heavy concentration of the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste population in this region, which has a literacy rate below 50%. Shri Patnaik stated that setting up a Central University in the KBK region would go a long way in encouraging higher education among tribal population. He added that the university could also set up specialized centres for tribal development related studies, as tribal development was one of the biggest challenges facing the country today. Shri. Arjun Singh appreciated the rationale of having a Central University in the KBK region and sought a formal proposal in this regard from the State Government. He assured that this would receive high priority whenever the Central Government considers setting up of new central universities.

Since then the Orissa government and the representatives of Orissa have brought up this issue many many times.

The MPs brought it up in Rajya Sabha on December 19 2005. (See page 2 right column)
See http://kbkcentral.blogspot.com/ for the numerous times this have been brought up by the CM, by other ministers from Orissa, etc.

A detailed proposal was sent by the Orissa government as well as by us.
Here is our proposal. (word, pdf) This document has lots of detailed statistics in case you may want to use some of it in your letter.
Hundred of us also sent letters about it to the PM, planning commission, etc. (word) This letter also has lots of detailed statistics in case you may want to use some of it in your letter.
The Hindu first reported on the plan for the tribal university in Madhya Pradesh. Following is an excerpt from it. One may compare this excerpt with the Orissa government press release on Oct 24 2005 and it becomes clear that the idea proposed by our CM was stolen.

… The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University will encourage studies on tribal art, culture and traditions, forests and natural resources. Tribal students will be given priority in admission. … The D. Swaminadhan Committee, set up by the University Grants Commission, recommended the setting up of a varsity exclusively for promoting tribal culture and providing tribals access to higher education.

On an IIT in Orissa:

This is also a good opportunity, we must remind the PM regarding the IIT for Orissa being announced and then getting shifted. Following are some pointers on that.

A green field IIT in Orissa and a branch campus of IIT Kharagpur in Bhubaneswar had been decided in MHRD, so much so that On August 28th 2006, Union minister of state for Human Resources and Development Mr. M. Fatmi said the following Patna. (This was reported in Times of India on Aug 29th 2006, and available for everyone to see at
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1933613.cms and http://iitorissa.googlepages.com/PUmayfinallygetCentralvarsitystatus-.pdf )

Mr. Arjun Singh himslef had also given word to the CM regarding a branch campus of IIT Kharagpur in Bhubaneswar. His meeting with the CM had been reported on September 29 2006 as follows: The Chief Minister, Orissa, Shri Naveen Patnaik met the Union Minister for Human Resources development, Shri Arjun Singh today to discuss about the establishment of a campus of IIT, Kharagpur in Orissa. Shri Patnaik stated that the Government of Orissa have offered 300 acres of land next to Bhubaneswar city for setting up the campus and the State Government is fully committed to provide all necessary assistance for the institution. Since Orissa is fast emerging as a hub for industrial activities, an institution of the stature of IIT will provide the much needed boost to the efforts of the Government in providing support to these industries. The Union Minister, Shri Arjun Singh stated that the Central Government is positively inclined for setting up such an institution soon.
More points.

References:

Dharitri: Hopes dashed on KBK Central University

2007-06-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

Pioneer: Arjun hijacks plans for KBK varsity

2007-06-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Arjun hijacks plans for KBK varsity

Braja Kishore Mishra \| Bhubaneswar
... Union Cabinet gives nod for setting up institution in MP Union Minister for Human Resources and Development Arjun Singh has once again humiliated Orissa by hijacking its original plan to set up a Central Tribal University in the KBK region comprising the State's undivided districts of Koaraput, Balangir and Kalahandi.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while meeting the Minister October 2005 (*typo corrcted*), had mooted the idea of setting up a KBK central university. It was based on the theory of empowerment of tribals with higher education.

Patnaik had pleaded with the Central authorities that the concentration of tribals is the highest in KBK and their uplift hinged on education. He had pointed out that the literacy rate among the people of this region was much below 50 per cent.

He had argued that setting up a Central University in the region would go a long way in encouraging higher education among the tribal population. The university could also set up specialised centres for tribal development-related studies, as tribal development is one of the biggest challenges facing the country today.

While Arjun Singh had promised Patnaik in clear terms that his HRD Ministry would positively consider the proposal, the result is now otherwise. The Union Cabinet on Friday gave its approval for establishment of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh with Central Government funding.

It also approved introduction of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill, 2007 in Parliament. This will ensure establishment of a teaching and affiliating university for facilitating and promoting avenues of higher education and research facilities for the tribal population of the country.

Apart from affiliating the colleges, the university has the power to establish such number of its own regional centres in tribal areas as it may deem fit.

There will be at least one school in every regional centre to serve as a model school for the schools of the region, wherefrom the tribal students would be expected to join the local colleges, the off-campuses or the university. The objectives of the university include promoting studies and research in tribal art, culture, tradition, language, custom, medicinal systems, forest based economic activities, including special studies in the flora and fauna, and advancements in technologies relating to natural resources of the tribal areas.

Now, it is abundantly clear that Singh not only hijacked Patnaik's idea but also saw to it that Orissa would never get a Central University in the KBK region on the lines of huge tribal concentration. Since the UPA is at the helm of affairs at the Centre, Singh is playing havoc with Orissa and the State is losing one after another national institutions to other States. While Minister of State of HRD MA Fatmi had announced a proposal to set up an IIT in Orissa, it was later shifted to Andhra Pradesh by Singh, on political considerations, said sources.

Tathyain: Arjun highjack Naveen plan

2007-06-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

Arjun highjack Naveen plan

New Delhi:15/June/2007
Arjun Singh has once again humiliated Orissa and high jacked its original plan to set up a Central Tribal University in KBK.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while meeting the Union Human Resource Development Minister during October, 2005 (*typo corrected*) has gave this idea to set up KBK Central University.

It was based on the theory on Tribal Empowerment with higher education.

Naveen at that point of time pleaded with central authorities that as the concentration of tribals are much more in KBK and their upliftment hinges on education.

He pointed out that there was a heavy concentration of the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste population in this region, which has a literacy rate below 50 per cent.

Mr. Patnaik stated that setting up a Central University in the KBK region would go a long way in encouraging higher education among tribal population.

The university could also set up specialized centers for tribal development related studies, as tribal development was one of the biggest challenges facing the country today.

So a Tribal University in the area will serve a great purpose for the most backward region of the country, pleaded Mr.Patnaik at that point of time.

While Mr.Singh promised Mr.Patnaik in clear terms that HRD Ministry will positively consider the proposal but result was otherwise.

The Union Cabinet on June 15 gave its approval for establishment of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh with Central Government funding.

It also approved introduction of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University Bill, 2007 in the Parliament.

This would ensure establishment of a teaching and affiliating University for facilitating and promoting avenues of higher education and research facilities for the tribal population of the country.

The objects of the University include inter-alia, promoting studies and research in tribal art, culture, tradition, language, custom, medicinal systems, forest based economic activities, including special studies in the flora and fauna, and advancements in technologies relating to natural resources of the tribal areas.

Apart from affiliating the colleges, the University has the power to establish such number of its own regional centers in tribal areas as the University may deem fit.

There will be at least one school in every regional Centre, to serve as a model school for the schools of the region, wherefrom the tribal students would be expected to join the local colleges, the off-campuses or the University.

Now this is abundantly clear that Mr.Singh not only highjack the idea but also saw to it Orissa will never get a Central University in KBK region on the lines of huge tribal concentration.

Since UPA is at the helm of the Centre, Mr.Singh is playing havoc on Orissa and the state is losing one after another national institutions to the Congress ruled states.

While M A Fatmi, Minister of State in HRD Ministry announced of an IIT in Orissa, which was shifted to Andhra Pradesh by Mr.Singh on political reasons, said sources.

Pramila Bahidar raises KBK Central University issue in Rajya Sabha: Janamukha

2007-05-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

Janamukha, May 28, 2007

CM takes up Central varsity for KBK plea with Arjun

2007-05-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

CM takes up IIT plea with Arjun

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, May 15: Taking up the issue of establishment of an IIT in Orissa with Union HRD minister Mr Arjun Singh in New Delhi today, chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik justified the demand pointing out that the state did not have a single institution of national excellence.
Mr Singh is said to have informed the CM that the matter would be considered while finalising proposals of his ministry for the 11th Plan.
Mr Patnaik also put forth demands for a Central varsity for KBK region and an IIM. At his meeting with Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers Mr Ram Vilas Paswan today, the CM urged for early revival of the FCI plant at Talcher. Congratulating Mr Paswan for his decision to revive the closed fertiliser units under the Central government, including the one located at Talcher, Mr Patnaik wanted the Talcher to be taken up in the first phase.
Mr Paswan said the Centre was fully committed to reviving the Talcher plant and necessary advertisement in this regard will be issued shortly.
The chief minister also discussed the proposed petroleum chemicals and petrochemicals investment region (PCPIR) in Paradip and assured the Union minister that the state government would take all necessary steps to expedite the ground work relating to the PCPIR at Paradeep.

Chandrasekhar Sahu meets PM and mentions KBK Central University

2007-05-13T01:18:00.000-07:00

State urges Centre for a central tribal university: The New Indian Express

2007-04-12T04:12:00.001-07:00

BHUBANESWAR: Higher Education Minister Samir Dey has urged the Centre to approve the State Government's proposal for establishment of a central tribal university in the KBK region.

Addressing a meeting of education ministers in New Delhi on Wednesday, Dey said the proposed central university will immensely benefit the deprived and backward pockets of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh having large concentration of tribal population.

Reiterating the State's demand for establishment of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the Minister said the vibrant growth in the industrial and technical sectors in Orissa provides enormous potential for industry- institution linkage.

An IIT will facilitate the process which is of critical importance to make the industry globally competitive.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has already requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for upgrading the extension counter of IIT Kharagpur into a full-fledged campus, the Minister reminded and added the State Government has already provided 300 acres of cost-free land for the project.

He also demanded that the NISER set up by the Department of Atomic Energy be upgraded to the rank of IISc, Bangalore.

There is a great need of opening courses in oceanography and marine engineering in colleges and universities considering the long coastline of the State.

The few institutes that are offering such courses are facing financial constraint for infrastructure development and curricula upgrade. Financial assistance from the Centre is needed for opening such courses in more colleges and universities, he added.

Although a National Law University was originally planned to be established in the State, this was shifted to West Bengal after the UPA Government assumed power.

The State Government is going to introduce a Bill in the next session of the Assembly for setting up of a National Law University for which it needs substantial financial help from the Centre, he said.

Underlining the measures taken by the State Government to improve the standard of higher education despite resource constraints, Dey strongly pleaded for generous central assistance.

The UGC should take up accreditation of colleges in the State by the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NACC) on a priority basis and provide infrastructure support to them, he said.

Dey demanded central assistance for establishment of an Academic Staff College for the teachers at the Plus Two level.
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Higer Education Minister of Orissa repeats the demand of a KBK Central University in the state: Samaja

2007-04-12T01:40:00.000-07:00

Higher Education Minister of Orissa Mr Sameer Dey demanded a KBK central university in Orissa during his meeting with HRD minister.
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Orissa Education Minister demands IIT and KBK Univ

2007-04-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

Tathya, New Delhi:11/April/2007

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.

Education Minister says proposal for a Central Tribal University in the state is given to the center: The Samaja

2007-03-29T23:15:00.000-07:00

Samaja in its page 2 on 30th March 2007 reports education Minister says proposal for a Central Tribal University in the state is given to the center.

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Looking for the lost keys under the street lamp: Why central universities in backward/tribal district clusters make sense?

2007-01-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

(An edited version of this article appears in Indian Express on 20th January 2007.)

In an old Sufi story about the wise-fool Mullah Nasrudin, the Mullah is seen searching for a key under a street lamp. Helpful passersby join in the search but to no avail. They ask the Mullah if he is sure that he lost the key there. The Mullah replies that he lost it yards away under a tree but since its dark there he thought of looking under the street lamp.

For close to 60 years to help schedule castes and schedule tribes who are severely underrepresented among Indians with higher education degrees, India has had reservations for them in various institutions across the country, usually in places far away from where the target population lives. So far, like Mullah Nasruddin, outside of northeast, India has not strategically established central institutions in places where the target population actually lives.

India seems to have missed learning from the American experience with respect to higher education of African Americans, Hispanics and native Americans. Together with affirmative action in universities across USA, the higher education institutions that significantly impacted these populations were HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), colleges and universities in towns and cities with very high (or majority) Hispanic population, and colleges in the native American reservations. For example, following are some quoted facts about African Americans (AA) and HBCUs[1] in the USA: more than 80% of African American doctors and dentists were trained by the two traditionally black colleges of medicine and dentistry, Meharry and Howard; 75% of AA Ph.Ds, 75% of AA officers, 80% of AA federal judges in the US military and 50% of AA faculty in traditionally white research universities had their undergraduate degree in HBCUs. In other words even though all institutions in the US provide affirmative action, the impact of the HBCUs on the higher education of African Americans is huge.

While outside of the northeast many lists of backward districts – many of which are tribal dominated – have been made and in recent years special programs targeting these backward districts have been formulated, none of these programs have had adequate impact. In this regards let us take the example of the ill-famed KBK districts of Orissa. They show up in most lists of backward districts and have a very high tribal population percentage, which is as follows: Malkangiri 58.36% ST (+19.96% SC), Rayagada 56.04% ST (+14.28% SC), Nabarangpur 55.27% ST (+15.09% SC), Koraput 50.67% ST (+13.41% SC), Nuapada 35.95% ST (+13.09% SC), Kalahandi 28.88% ST (+17.01% SC), Sonepur 22.11% ST (+9.5% SC), and Balangir 22.06% ST (+15.39% SC). Two adjacent districts also have high tribal population. They are Kandhamala 51.51% ST (+18.21% SC) and Gajapati 47.88% ST (+8.77% SC). Eight of these districts make the list of 69 most backward districts of India compiled by Bibek Devroy and Laveesh Bhandari.

After it was realized that short term band-aid solutions did not quite do much to address the backwardness of this region, since 1995, several special programs, both central and state, have focused on the KBK districts. This includes the LTAP, RLTAP, BRGP programs. However none of them have had an operational higher education component. This has restricted the effectiveness of these programs. More often than not teachers, doctors and other professionals posted to the KBK districts treat it as a punishment and do not show up. As a result many plans remain as plans as no matter how many schools or hospitals are declared open, what use are they if they do not have teachers and doctors.

The problem of not having enough home grown doctors, teachers and other professions can not be solved just by having quotas for STs in various central institutions in far flung places like Delhi. This is because, having reservations in Delhi University and hoping that the KBK tribals will go there, get education and come back to KBK, is not effective.

Obviously, what are needed are more higher education opportunities in backward and tribal district clusters like KBK.

This is also supported by data that shows the success of central funding of higher education institutions in the North East and Delhi. According to the NSSO [7] figures the attendance among 15-19 year olds and among 20-24 year olds (in an educational institution) in these states are as follows: Arunachal Pradesh (61,1%, 22.6%), Assam(53.2%, 12.8%), Manipur (79.8%, 44.3%), Meghalaya (52.6%, 14.3%), Mizoram (68.7%, 20.8%), Nagaland (79.9%, 32.7%), Sikkim (68.7%, 20.9%), Tripura (59.6%, 11.9%), and Delhi (70%, 19.3%). In contrast the same for Orissa is 29.0% and 6.1%, the lowest among all the states of India. For the tribals in Orissa this number is 17.1% and 4.1% respectively.

With these data points in hand the government of Orissa and the people of Orissa (through letters) have been trying to convince the PM, the HRD ministry and the planning commission for the need of a multi-campus central university for the KBK region and how such a university will meet KBK’s need of teachers, doctors and other professionals who are born, raised and educated in KBK and have a stake in KBK. This request also fits in with one of the UPA government’s goal in its CMP about “providing for full equality of opportunity, particularly in education and employment for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, OBCs and religious minorities.”

In general, following the establishment of central universities in each of the northeastern states, which is scheduled to be done very soon, the HRD ministry and planning commission in collaboration with the ministry of tribal affairs should establish multi-campus central universities in the backward and tribal district clusters of India. The map in page 51 of the book “District-Level Deprivation in the New Millennium” gives a handful of such clusters including KBK and the cluster consisting of Chatra, Garhwa, Gumla, Kodarma, Palamu, and West Singhbum districts of Jharkhand and Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh districts of Orissa.

These central universities should have disciplines beyond traditional liberal arts, so as to cater to the immediate needs of the region. This includes disciplines such as education, medicine, nursing, sports sciences, agriculture and engineering. They should have linkages with the primary and secondary education initiatives in these districts and have associated colleges with vocational programs. They should have significant reservations, perhaps for a certain time period, for target classes (STs) and locals. It is important that several such colleges distributed across towns in a particular district cluster are grouped together, a la Delhi University, as a central university. The central university tag, by virtue of its brand name will attract faculty from all over India giving it a higher chance of success. But most importantly, the locations of the universities – and there is a need of multiple such universities – should be based on impartial criteria such as the district clusters in the above mentioned book.

Postscript: Based on the announcements of the three new IITs in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, the last two being the two confirmed bottom states with respect to per capita spending by the HRD ministry in its fully funded institutions, it seems the planning commission and the HRD ministry is finally paying attention to create a more equitable distribution of centrally funded institutions. We hope Orissa, the other state at the bottom, is not being punished for our writings. Furthermore we hope that Orissa and the other states at the bottom that are not getting the new IITs, will figure in the upcoming announcements with respect to the new IIMs, SPAs, etc.

[1] http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq9511.html

Ten Important Points on Why KBK Region Urgently Needs a National Educational Institute such as KBK Central University?

2007-01-19T03:09:00.000-08:00

(1) Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (a total of 8 districts) is one of the most under developed region in the country. Its 7 districts are among the 10 most backward districts of India.

(2) There is not even a single state government Medical College, Agriculture College, Engineering College and/or State University in Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput region (KBK region), which has 30% of state’s area and 20 % of state’s population .

(3) There is no Central Government institution in KBK region, which has an area larger than Kerala.

(4) The literacy rate of KBK region is one of the lowest in the country.

(5) The birth mortality rate in KBK region is one of the highest in the country and equivalent to African sub-Sahara region.

(6) KBK region is one of the most malaria prone regions in India.

(7) KBK region consists large forest lands and hills. So it needs special attention like other hilly region of India like North-Eastern states, Sikkim, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh.

(8) There is no central government educational institution within 500km radius of Kalahandi, which is center to KBK region and other backward Phulbani and Boud districts of Orissa.

(9) There is no state government institution of higher learning within 200km radius of Kalahandi.

(10) KBK region has highest percentage of tribal and schedule caste people. And establishment of National educational institute would simultaneously bring education, infrastructure and employment to the region and to its people.

Congress Party demanded University in KBK region: Mr Narayanswami

2007-01-19T02:37:00.000-08:00

Cong poll weapon: Funds misuseStatesman News Service BHUBANESWAR, Jan 7: Misuse of Central funds by the BJD-BJP government will be the major poll plank for the Congress in the ensuing panchayat elections said AICC general secretary Mr V Narayanswami here today. Addressing a Press conference Mr Narayanswami, who is AICC general secretary in charge of Orissa said that people in the districts were fed up with the Naveen Patnaik government’s dismal performance. Crores of rupees allotted by the Central government towards backward districts and the poor are lying unspent and the little that has been spent is being misappropriated, he charged. He reeled out figures of utilisation certificates not being sent to the Centre and alleged that only 35 to 39 per cent of the money allotted had been spent. Under panchayati raj department alone, the utilisation certificates for at least 1,700 crore has not been sent he said. The AICC general secretary also accused the state government of trying to usurp credit of Central schemes by misleading people to believe that it was a state scheme. He referred to improper implementation of NREG, Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Programme and the Central health scheme etc. Mr Narayanswami, who addressed pre-poll meetings in Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Nawarangpur and other districts recently alleged that the ruling BJD-BJP combine was misusing official machinery. At some places, the district-level officers were acting according to the dictates of the ruling party men, he charged. He said the OPCC will draw the attention of the Election Commission to the gross violation of model code of conduct. The AICC leader said the Congress will demand establishment of a university in KBK region and name it after Sahid Laxman Nayak. Asked about possibilities of the Congress entering into an alliance or understanding with any other political party for the panchayat polls, he said a meeting of the OPCC will be held on 9 January to discuss such issues. Interestingly, the AICC general secretary made an issue of the Urmila Rout suicide case and said there were a lot of loose ends to the suicide. The women’s wing of the Congress has been on dharna in front of Raj Bhavan demanding a CBI probe into the death, he said. Mr Narayanswami said he had been informed that the lady had died close to the residence of a BJD minister and she had also attempted suicide inside the room of the minister last year. All such aspects need to be probed, he added. Meanwhile, the Mahila Congress activists put up banners demanding immediate action against the minister and a CBI probe into the incident.

Decks cleared for IISER

2006-12-13T15:25:00.000-08:00

Decks cleared for IISER-type institute in Orissa

Shubhajit Roy

Posted online: Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 0000 hrs IST

NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 13
Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh has given the go ahead for a new Indian institute of science education and research in Orissa.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had, in August this year, promised to the Orissa government that a new institute — of the level of IIT — will be opened in the state. Singh had made this promise to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in response to the increased economic activity in the state.

Sources in the HRD ministry said the request from the PM’s Office came in September this year, shortly after Singh had assured Patnaik.

“Consequently, the HRD ministry officials belonging to the technical education bureau were asked to examine the feasibility of this proposal,” a senior HRD official told The Indian Express. The ministry examined the possibility of setting up a new institute and held several rounds of discussions with the Orissa government officials.

After several rounds of consultations, the HRD ministry came to the conclusion that it was feasible to set up an institute of repute in the state. Sources said that the new institute is expected to be called National Institute of Science Education and Research as proposed by the Orissa government.

Like the first two IISERs at Kolkata and Pune, and the third one at Mohali (Punjab), the institute will offer science education and research programmes from the BSc (undergraduate) level and will go up to PhD level.

Setting up this institute, sources said, will cost about Rs 560 crore and the government wants the institute to begin functioning from the next academic year itself, said sources.

According to officials, it will be a national centre of excellence as it will have an approximate strength of 1,000 students in the integrated masters’ programme and an additional strength of nearly 1,000 students in the parallel streams of post-BSc and post-MSc programmes.

Ministry officials said in-principle approval for another two IISERs at Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram has been received from the Planning Commission.

The process of setting up IISERS began after a strong recommendation from the Scientific Advisory Council to the PM, headed by Prof C N R Rao, was accepted by the government. The academic model of these institutions will be developed on the new model of university-laborato

Kalahandi, Balangir, Koraput and Phulbani Districts are always backward in Government Funded Higher Education Institution

2006-12-12T22:48:00.000-08:00

Open Letter to honorable PM, HRD Minister, Planning Commission and National Knowledge Commission

2006-12-05T02:44:00.000-08:00

To
Dr. Manmohan Singh, Honorable PM of India, New Delhi, India, Email: pmosb@pmo.nic.in
Smt. Sonia Gandhi, President: INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, Email: aicc@congress.org.in
Mr. Arjun Singh, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Email: arjuns@sansad.nic.in
Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Email: hfm@alpha.nic.in
Mr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Email: dch@nic.in
Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar, Member of the Planning Commission, Email: b.mungekar@nic.in
Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa, Email: cmo@ori.nic.in
Mr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Knowledge Commission, Email: spitroda@knowledgecommission.org
Dr. P.M. Bhargava, Vice Chairman, National Knowledge Commission, Email: pmbhargava@knowledgecommission.org
Dr. Ashok Ganguly, Member, National Knowledge Commission, Email: aganguly@knowledgecommission.org
Dr. Jayati Ghosh, Member, National Knowledge Commission, Email: jghosh@knowledgecommission.org
Dr. Deepak Nayyar, Member, National Knowledge Commission, Email: dnayyar@knowledgecommission.org
Mr. Nandan Nilekani, Member, National Knowledge Commission, Email: nnilekani@knowledgecommission.org
Shree Somnath Chaterjee, Speaker of LokSabha, India, Email: lokmail@sansad.nic.in

Sub: Establishment of new IIT and a central university in the unprivileged locations.

Dear Esteemed Sirs,
Beside many other focus areas, one of the main goals of the established “National Knowledge Commission” is to provide equal right and access to knowledge for every citizen. However, for citizens who live in rural, remote and backward regions of India it is always unprivileged in accessing higher quality education that results to (healthy) knowledge. Looking back to our 59 years of history, NOT a single high quality national institute like IIT, IIM, IISc, IISER etc was ever established in an unprivileged and backward region.

Establishment of national institutes of higher learning in the country was generally politically motivated. In a fair case, institute locations were chosen based on East, West, North, South, Central and, North-East region of the country where population of the state and larger cities were under consideration totally discounting geographical need and accessibility to other remote and disadvantageous part of the nation. Take an example of Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) region of Orissa. Since independence neither a central university nor a national institute was ever established in the region, though it covers 30 % of the total land area of the state and for last 45 years it is regularly being scrutinized for its backwardness by the media, and social and political leaders. Not even a single IIT, IIM, IISc, IISER or Central University is located within 700km radius of KBK region. Incidentally, Orissa, one of the poorest and tribal states of the country was never funded by HRD ministry for an IIT, IIM, IISc, IISER or a central university type institution. The state and specially KBK region was repeatedly being ignored by the central government while making institute of national importance.

Countries like USA, Germany, Japan, UK, Belgium, Netherland, Australia, France, Switzerland etc. have many high standard national institutes of higher learning in rural and semi urban smaller towns. Some of them are internationally well claimed, such as, National Institute of Natural Science Okazaki, Cornell University, Forschungszentrum Juelich, Katholique University Leuven, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign etc. Towns in KBK region such as Bhawanipatna (Kalahandi Dist), Balangir (Balangir Dist) and, Koraput (Koraput Dist) are large enough compared to cities like Leuven, Juelich, Cornell or Urbana-Champaign to host an international claimed institute. So I do not see any problem with these towns to host one or more IIT, IIM, IISER and a central university. In fact each of these towns has potent to host a national institution. The distance between Kharagpur (IIT) and Kolakata (proposed IIT branch, IISER and IIM) is 250km (that of IIT Delhi and IISER Chandigarh is 260km), where as between Koraput and Bhawanipatna is 280km. The distance between IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi is 408km where as between Bhawanipatan and Bhubaneswar (state capital without having IIT, IIM, IISc or central university) is 480km. The distance between Bangalore (IISc, IIM) and Chennai (IIT) is 330km where as distance between Balangir and Koraput is 380km.
[One could compare distribution of institute of national importance within 700km radius from KBK region (an area of 47,646 squarekm, which is 30% of total area of Orissa or 3.7% of total area of India, larger than the size of Haryana or Kerala, or equivalent to the size of Punjab) with that of locations of such institutions in cities corridor like Mumbai-Pune at 163km, Delhi-Chandigarh at 240km, Bangalore-Chennai at 330km, Lucknow-Kanpur at 77km, Guwahati-Shillong at 100km, and Bhopal (proposed IISER)-Indore at 186km. The nearest central university from KBK region is Central University Hyderabad which is 700km away from Koraput. KBK region could be the only place in the nation from where none of the IIT, IIM, IISc, IISERs or central university is located within 700km.]

Normally people do hesitate to live and work in a remote and disadvantageous part of the nation rather preferring cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. Even the Orissa state government feels the similar wind from the officers assigned in the KBK region. So, opposition and problems like infrastructure and communication were/are expected to often be raised by few of our academicians and decision makers against the unprivileged region for a national institute, however, establishment of such institution itself would solve many of these infrastructure related problems (indeed at present all of these major towns in KBK are connected by national highway and have rail links) and would force many national level academicians, researchers and students to work in this region chicken feeding its current outlook.

A recent proposal of establishing an Indira Gandhi National Tribal University at Amarkantak is a healthy and welcome development by HRD ministry. However, such attention should also be focused while establishing IIT, IIM or IISc/IISER in the country. Recently, HRD ministry already has made a stark state wise uneven distribution of institutes of national importance. Cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore etc. were/are often given higher priority (so, were/are the respective states) by literally neglecting many other backward parts of the nation like KBK region and their states.

An irrational decision is also being taken while making newly funded institutions like Indian Institute of Public Health. KBK region has higher malaria mortality rate and its state Orissa has highest mortality in the country of malaria, one of the deadliest diseases in the world, nevertheless, the state is totally being overlooked for such an institution by Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI).

Despite the fact that our honorable prime minister, HRD minister, Health minister, president of congress party, chief-minister of Orissa and, chairpersons as well as members of the planning commission & knowledge commission are much learnt and knowledgeable individuals, rural and unprivileged India is again being ignored while establishing higher education institutions. Irrespective of caste, creed, geographical location, region and religion every citizen should have equal access to higher quality education and knowledge. We must remember that these backward regions have potential to generate great innovator and national leader of our time, our esteemed Dr Sam Pitroda is one of the examples, who was raised in a small town of Titilagarh in KBK region.

I hope, our honorable sirs, will kindly look into this matter for KBK region while establishing new national institutions like IIT, IIM, and central University in the country.

Thank you and with best regards

Yours sincerely

Digambara Patra

Reference:
1. http://orissawatch.org/
2. http://kbkcentral.blogspot.com/
3. http://newiits.blogspot.com/

Center is betraying Orissa for a central University: The Samaja

2006-12-03T23:50:00.000-08:00

http://kbkcentral.googlepages.com/20061204sambadakbku1.pdf
and
http://kbkcentral.googlepages.com/20061204sambadakbku2.pdf

Rajya Sabha Q & A on KBK central University on 19.12.2005

2006-12-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 366
ANSWERED ON 19.12.2005
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY FOR KBK REGION . MS. PRAMILA BOHIDAR
366 SHRI B.J. PANDA
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that during a meeting with him the Chief Minister of Orissa has made a proposal for setting up a Central University for the KBK region (undivided Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput Dislyicts) of Orissa;

(b) whether Government are aware that a Central University, in this most backward tribal dominated region, would go a long way in encouraging higher education among the tribals where the literacy rate is below 50 per cent;

(c) if so, the status of the proposal; ;and

(d) the time-frame within which a Central University would be set up in that region?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI ARJUN SINGH)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF TIIE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 366 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19th DECEMBER, 2005 ASKED BY MS. PRAMILA BOHIDAR AND SHRI B.J. PANDA REGARDING CENTRAL UNIVERSITY FOR KBK REGION

(a) to (d): While the meeting referred to in the question did take place recently, no formal proposal for setting up a Central University for the KBK region has been received fi:om the State Government of Orissa. A Central University is established, inter-alia, to correct regional imbalances or to cover large gaps in the higher educational map of the country. There are 11 recognised Universities (including two institutions Deemed to be Universities) in the State of Orissa. According to the available information, the Berhampur University and the Sambalpur University have jurisdiction over the districts comprising the KBK region in Orissa. These two Universities together have affiliated 102 colleges located in the region. While there have been demands from various States, either for setting up of new Central Universities or for conversion of the existing State Universities into Central Universities, the present policy of the Government is to lay emphasis on consolidation and expansion of facilities in the existing Universities. In view of this, no proposal to set up a Central University for the KBK region is presently under` consideration of the Government.

===============================================

Chitta's comment:

The response suggests that the HRD ministry is awaiting a formal proposal from Orissa.

KBK Central University Proposal

2006-11-24T14:14:00.000-08:00

The first draft of the KBK Central University proposal is now at:
http://orissalinks.googlepages.com/kbk.doc
and
http://orissalinks.googlepages.com/kbk.pdf

It was created using various data avaialble over the Internet and emails/ideas from Dr. Digambara Patra.

Chitta

HRD Ministry asks State for comments on tribal varsity

2006-11-20T12:18:00.000-08:00

HRD Ministry asks State for comments on tribal varsity

Deba Choudhury \| Bhubaneswar
With the reservation controversy still creating a turmoil of sorts in the country, the Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry has more recently come up with an idea of setting a tribal university at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, with campuses proposed in several tribal dominated States including Orissa.

The Human Resource Ministry has invited comments on the proposal from various Ministries of the State including Home, Tribal Affairs and Agriculture. The proposed Indira Gandhi National Tribal University will encourage studies on tribal art, culture and traditions, forests and natural resources. Tribal students will be given priority in admission.

Amarkantak falls under the Fifth Schedule area and is close to the other tribal-dominated States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Maharashtra. The Sixth Schedule areas will subsequently be covered under the university. The D Swaminathan Committee, set up by the University Grants Commission, recommended the setting up of a university exclusively for promoting tribal culture and providing tribals access to higher education.

Now how an Orissa campus will help the State is a question perhaps even the Government has no answer to as the universities extant in the State do not function properly due to lack of resources and scanty financial allocation by the UGC. Time and again the poor State has been crying hoarse for a Central university since 1991. During the time of Biju Patnaik, the State had asked the Centre for up gradation of Utkal University to Central university status. However, the concerned Ministry, vide letter 14-71/90 UI on May 7, 1991, stashed it.

The Centre established three Central universities in 1994 at Kohima in Nagaland and two in Assam at Silchar (Assam University) and at Napaam (Tezpur University) in addition to the Central University (North-Eastern Hill University) in Shillong established in 1973. Not only these Central universities but also other Central universities were created by Special Act of Parliament from time to time. However, Orissa's cause remained unheeded.

Moreover, in 2005, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, urged the Centre to allot a Central university for KBK region but it was turned down.

However, spending 0.69 per cent of GDP on higher education and not conceding Orissa's demand to allot a Central university, though UGC guideline says the State with no Central university shall have to be given at least one, the union HRD Ministry's newly proposed tribal university with Orissa extension seems to be an act of providing a doll to please a crying baby.

============================================
My thoughts:

I think the state govt should answer that:

(i) We want a central university in KBK and we are in the process of sending a
proposal for its inclusion in the 11th plan.

(See http://kbkcentral.blogspot.com/ for data and logic for such a
university. )

(ii) Since our plan is specific to KBK and its adjoining districst we request that
the Amarkanta Tribal University have campuses in the other
tribal districts of Orissa, namely Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh,
Sambalpur, Deogarh and Jharsuguda. The first 3 should have the highest
priority based on their tribal percentage.

Moreover these above districts are close to Amarkantak and
very far from KBK and KBK needs its own central university.

Chitta

Fifth Schedule areas

2006-11-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

From Outlook, Dec 22, 2000

Centre proposes tribal varsity

2006-11-18T14:53:00.000-08:00

Centre proposes tribal varsity

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Centre proposes to set up a tribal university at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, with campuses in several areas across the country.

The Human Resource Ministry has invited comments on the proposal from various Ministries including Home, Tribal Affairs and Agriculture. The Indira Gandhi National Tribal University will encourage studies on tribal art, culture and traditions, forests and natural resources. Tribal students will be given priority in admission.

Amarkantak falls under the Fifth Schedule area and is close to the other tribal-dominated States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Maharashtra. The Sixth Schedule areas will subsequently be covered under the university. The D. Swaminadhan Committee, set up by the University Grants Commission, recommended the setting up of a varsity exclusively for promoting tribal culture and providing tribals access to higher education. The Ministry accepted its recommendations.

KBK Adivasi Central University

2006-11-15T10:06:00.000-08:00

I think along the lines of Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Milia Islamia, Banaras Hindu University, to make the purpose of the proposed university crystal clear, it should be named KBK Adivasi Central University and this university should have significant percentage of seats (say 30-35% each) reserved for both Adivasis and KBK residents.

Poverty Ratio among SCs, STs, OBCs and others (1999-2000)

2006-11-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

Source: Moily Committee report (page 105) which cites the Planning Commission as its source.

Name of the State	Rural SC	Rural ST	Rural OBC	Rural Others	Urban SC	Urban ST	Urban OBC	Urban Others
Andhra Pradesh	16.5	23.8	10.4	4.1	41.4	45.0	30.8	17.6
Assam	44.0	38.7	39.4	40.0	20.0	2.7	17.3	4.1
Bihar combined	59.8	59.7	42.9	26.5	51.9	39.5	39.4	16.4
Gujarat	17.8	29.1	11.7	4.8	29.1	36.7	24.7	7.1
Haryana	19.0	-	11.9	1.2	25.4	-	6.7	4.5
Karnataka	26.2	25.5	16.1	11.8	47.0	51.4	27.9	17.2
Kerala	14.6	24.2	10.8	5.4	24.2	-	23.4	14.5
Madhya Pradesh combined	41.3	56.3	32.5	12.2	54.2	52.6	47.6	23.2
Maharashtra	33.3	43.6	22.2	13.6	39.9	43.0	32.9	21.7
Orissa	51.8	73.9	39.5	23.4	70.6	59.6	41.1	30.6
Punjab	12.4	18.0	7.4	0.7	11.3	13.0	9.4	2.1
Rajasthan	19.6	25.3	10.2	6.3	41.8	20.7	21.0	11.1
Tamil Nadu	32.6	43.2	15.0	11.8	44.9	5.2	21.9	8.0
Uttar Pradesh Combined	43.7	34.1	33.1	17.7	43.5	13.3	37.0	23.7
West Bengal	35.1	50.0	20.4	29.7	28.2	31.9	20.8	10.7
All-India	36.3	45.9	27.1	15.2	38.5	34.8	29.5	15.4

NSSO study shows widening urban-rural gap

2006-11-05T19:03:00.000-08:00

NSSO study shows widening urban-rural gap

Chetan Chauhan

New Delhi, November 4, 2006

The latest National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) findings put the gross enrolment ratio in higher education at just 11.4 per cent as against University Grants Commission claim of 13 per cent.

The NSSO clearly demonstrates a widening urban-rural gap in education, girl child and weaker sections not reaching the highest level of competitive education and dramatic fall in classroom attendance as students reach higher level of education.

With higher education infrastructure growing mostly in urban areas, as many as 20 per cent of urban youth are enrolled in colleges as compared to just 7.9 per cent in rural India. Orissa, which gets dismal allocation for higher education from the Centre, has only 4.1 per cent rural youth enrolled. Similar pattern is observed in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan. The exception are the north-eastern states, where most universities are funded by the Central Government, with overall higher education enrolment figure close to 40 per cent.

The debate over reservation to socially weaker sections in admission in higher educational institutions gets an interesting backing from the report findings. The study says the forward castes are much ahead of SCs/STs and OBCs when it comes to enrolment in colleges. As compared to just 8.2 per cent for SC, 8.9 per cent for STs and 9.5 per cent for OBCs, the enrolment figure for forward castes is about 17 per cent. However, their enrolment at primary level is comparative with forward castes.

The social bias against the girl child is clearly evident from the NSSO findings. Though 79 per cent of the girl population enrol in schools only 7.7 per cent reach higher educational institutions. The enrolment rate of boys in colleges is almost double than that of girls even though the difference in admission between the two at primary level is just five per cent.

If the girl is born in the weaker section, reaching higher education becomes even more difficult. Only 4.9 per cent Scheduled Caste girls reach higher education, with girls in Other Backward Classes slightly better with 5.8 and as high as seven per cent in Scheduled Tribes. But among forward castes, the number of girls taking admission in colleges is as high as 13 per cent.

Earlier this week, UGC chairman SK Thorat at an ASSOCHAM seminar on higher education had called private participation to bridge these disparities.

Email chetan@hindustantimes.com

State University proposed Satellite Campus in KBK region

2006-10-29T23:45:00.000-08:00

UGC team to review fund utilisation
Monday October 30 2006 10:22 IST
BHUBANESWAR: The University Grants Commission (UGC) will send a team, headed by a joint secretary, to review the proposals and funds utilisation by various universities of the State.

Since utilisation of funds by the varsities has been a cause of concern, UGC is keen to find out the underlying problems. The team would be here for two days - November 14 and 15.

This was decided after a meeting chaired by UGC Chairman Prof Sukhdeo Thorat at Raj Bhawan here on Sunday. Thorat had an interaction with VCs of the State universities. In fact, the UGC chief was here at the invitation of Chancellor and Governor Rameshwar Thakur.

Thorat was to attend the convocation of Sambalpur University on Saturday but since he was indisposed, he could not make it. The UGC Chairman made it clear that many proposals presented by the VCs don稚 meet the guidelines which is a a major reason for their rejection.

Currently, five universities of the State are eligible to receive funds from the commission since they meet the norms specified under Section 12(B) of the UGC Act. While Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) has submitted its proposal, Utkal University of Culture has been asked to put forth its case.

However, utilisation of funds for various projects and schemes of UGC by the State varsities remain far from satisfactory.

As per a presentation delivered by the UGC joint secretary, Eastern Regional Office, Prof Ratnabali Banerjee, utilisation by Orissa is just about 40 percent during the period 2002-2006.It, however, ranks better as compared to other states of Eastern India, she pointed out.

While funds utilisation by West Bengal is a little below 30 percent, Bihar, Jharkhand and Sikkim have utilised only about 20 percent of UGC funds.

The Governor urged the UGC chief to consider sanction of grants to the State varsities keeping in view the number of backward districts they cater to.

He said Orissa is in need of a vibrant education system because the State is now attracting a lot of investment. The UGC should assist Orissa in this process. he pointed out.

During the meeting, V C of Sambalpur University proposed that varsity should be allowed to set up a satellite campus at Bhawanipatna.

It would help tribal students, girls particularly, to take advantage of higher education. Both Berhampur and Sambalpur universities sought permission for opening coaching centres for SC/ST students.

Utkal University also submitted its plans to open centres on aquaculture, water harvesting, IT and bio-informatics.

Among others, Finance Minister PC Ghadei, Agriculture Minister SN Nayak and Higher Education Minister Samir Dey were present.

Satellite Campus proposed by VC in KBK region

2006-10-29T23:43:00.000-08:00

V C of Sambalpur University and Berhampur University proposed to be allowed to set up a satellite campus at Bhawanipatna and Koraput

PRESS RELEASE OF 24/10/2005(CM MET UNION MINISTER FOR HRD..... )

2006-10-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

This is a one year old press release. One wonders if the Orissa government ever got around to submitting a formal proposal on KBK central university as sought (see the sentences in red below) by the HRD minister.

Chitta

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE OF 24/10/2005(CM MET UNION MINISTER FOR HRD..... )

GOVERNMENT OF ORISSA

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi

October 24, 2005

Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister, Orissa today met the Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Shri Arjun Singh and requested him to expedite the establishment of the Regional Centre of Studies in Integrated Sciences at Bhubaneswar under the National Institute of Science framework. He informed that the State Government had already identified 75 acres of land at Gothapatana under Bhubaneswar Tehsil for setting up the campus and was awaiting release of funds by Government of India. The Chief Minister stated that it was learnt that Government of India has recently cleared setting up a similar institution at Kolkata and wanted that the Bhubaneswar Centre, which has been approved more than two years back, should be taken up first. In addition to this, Shri Patnaik also requested for establishment of a Central University for the KBK Region, which is one of the most backward regions in the country. He pointed out that there was a heavy concentration of the scheduled tribe and scheduled caste population in this region, which has a literacy rate below 50%. Shri Patnaik stated that setting up a Central University in the KBK region would go a long way in encouraging higher education among tribal population. He added that the university could also set up specialized centres for tribal development related studies, as tribal development was one of the biggest challenges facing the country today. Shri. Arjun Singh appreciated the rationale of having a Central University in the KBK region and sought a formal proposal in this regard from the State Government. He assured that this would receive high priority whenever the Central Government considers setting up of new central universities. On the other issue, viz., the establishment of the Regional Centre of Studies in Integrated Sciences at Bhubaneswar, Shri Arjun Singh assured that his Ministry would review the matter.

*****

Japaneese National Universities

2006-10-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Japan is divided to 47 prefectures. Japan has 89 national universities and there is at least one in each prefecture. India should follow the same model and have at least one "central university" in each of its states.

Tribal areas of Orissa

2006-10-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

1.

2.

3.

4.

Mayurbhanj district

Sundargah district

Koraput district

Kuchinda tahsil in Sambalpur district

5.	Keonjhar and Telkoi tahsils of keonjhar sub-division, and champua and Barbil tahsils of Champua sub-division in Keonjhar district
6.	Khondmals tahsil of Khondmals sub-division, and Balliguda and G. Udayagiri tahsils of Balliguda sub-division in Boudh-khondmals district
7.	R. Udayagiri tahsil, and Guma and Rayagada Blocks of Parlakhemundi Tahsil of Parlakhemundi sub-division, and Surada tahsil, exlcluding Gazalbadi and Gocha Gram Panchayats of Ghumsur sub-division, in Ganjam district
8.	Thuamul Rampur Block of Kalahandi Tahsil, and Lanjigarh Block, falling in Lanjigarh and Kalahandi tahsils, in Bhawanipatna sub-division in Kalahandi district.
9.	Nilgiri Community Development Block of Nilgiri tahsil in Nilgiri Sub-division in Balasore district.
	** The Scheduled area in the State of Orissa was originally specified by the Scheduled Areas (Part A States) Order, 1950 (Constitution Order, 9) dated 23.1.1950 and the Scheduled Areas (Part B States) Order, 1950, (Constitution Order, 26) dated 7.12.1950 and has been respecified as above by the Scheduled Areas (States of Bihar Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa) Order, 1977, (Constitution Order, 109) dated 31.12.1977 after rescinding the Orders citedearlier in so far as they related to the State of Orissa.

Tribes of Orissa

2006-10-22T20:11:00.000-07:00

1.Bagata

2. Baiga

3. Banjara, Banjari

4. Bathudi

5. Bhottada, Dhotada

6. Bhuiya, Hbuyan

7. Bhumia

8. Bhumij

9. Bhunjia

10. binjhal

11. Binihia, Binjhoa

12. Birhor

13. Bondo Poraja

14. Chenchu

15. Dal

16. Desua Bhumij

17. Dharua

18. Didayi

19. Gadaba

20. Gandia

21. Ghara

22. Gond, gondo

23. Ho

24. Holva

25. Jatapu

26. Jung

27. Kandha gauda

28. Kawar

29. Kharia, Kharian

30. Kharwar

31. Khond, Kond, Kandha, Nanguli Kandha, Sitha Kendha

32. Kisan

33. Kol

34. Kolah Laharas, Kol Laharas

35. Kolha

36. Koli, Malhar

37. Kondadora

38. Kora

39. Korua

40. Kotia

41. Koya

42. Kulis

43. Lodha

44. Madia

45. Mahali

46. Mankidi

47. Mankirdia

48. Matya

49. Mirdhas

50. Munda, Munda Lahora, Munda Mahalis

51. Mundari

52. Omanatya

53. Oraon

54. Parenga

55. Paroja

56. Pentia

57. Rajuar

58. Santal

59. Saora, Sever, Saura, Sahara

60. Shabar, Lodha

61. Sounti

62. Tharua

Statewise tribal population of India

2006-10-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

Districtwise ST population in Orissa

2006-10-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

Based on the fact sheet at http://www.undp.org.in/hdrc/shdr/Orissa/
following is the district wise ST population of Orissa. (clickable map)
(The ten districts in red are either part of KBK or are adjacent to KBK.)

Malkangiri 58.36% (KBK) [literacy 31.26%]
Mayurbhanj 57.87% [literacy 52.43%]
Rayagada 56.04% (KBK) [literacy 35.61%]
Nabarangpur 55.27% (KBK) [literacy 34.26%]
Kandhamala 51.51% (adjacent) [literacy 52.95%]
Sundergarh 50.74% [literacy 65.22%]
Koraput 50.67% (KBK) [literacy 36.2%]
Gajapati 47.88% (adjacent) [literacy 41.73%]
Keonjhar 44.52% [literacy 59.75%]
Nuapada 35.95% (KBK) [literacy 42.29%]
Sambalpur 35.08% [literacy 67.01%]
Deogarh 33.31% [literacy 60.78%]
Jharsuguda 31.88% [literacy 71.47%]
Kalahandi 28.88% (KBK) [literacy 46.2%]
Balangir 22.06% (KBK) [literacy 54.93%]
Bargarh 19.56% [literacy 64.13%]
Boudh 12.92% [literacy 58.43]
Dhenkanal 12.68% [literacy 70.11%]
Angul 11.68% [literacy 69.4%]
Balasore 10.57% [literacy 70.94%]
Sonepur 9.5% (KBK) [literacy 64.07]
Jajpur 7.4% [literacy 72.19%]
Nayagarh 5.96% [literacy 71.02%]
Khurda 5.14% [literacy 80.19%]
Cuttack 3.49% [literacy 76.13]
Ganjam 2.93% [literacy 62.94%]
Bhadrakh 1.69% [literacy 74.64%]
Jagatsinghpur 0.61% [literacy 79.61%]
Kendrapara 0.4% [literacy 77.33%]
Puri 0.27% [literacy 78.4%]

Delhi University colleges and departments

2006-10-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

Delhi university has 81 colleges spread across Delhi with 14 of the colleges clustered in the North Campus and 4 others in the south campus. The rest are spread across Delhi. We propose a similar structure for the KBK University. It should be initially spread across the following 13 towns:

Parlakhemundi (Gajapati)
Rayagada (Rayagada)
Koraput (Koraput)
Jeypore (Koraput)
Bhawanipatna (Kalahandi)
Malkangiri (Malkangiri)
Nabarangpur (Nabarangpur)
Titilagarh (Balangir)
Nuaparha (Nuapara)
Balangir (Balangir)
Sonapur (Sonepur)
Baligurha or G. Udaygiri (Kandhamala)
Phulbani (Kandhamala)

Delhi University has 15 faculties

each with many departments.

A. The Arts faculty has the following departments:

Agricultural Economics Research Centre

Arabic

Buddhist Studies

English

Germanic & Romance Studies

Hindi

Library & Information Science

Linguistics

Modern Indian Languages and Literary Studies

Persian

Philosophy

Political Science

Psychology

Punjabi

Sanskrit

Urdu

B. The Faculty of COMMERCE & BUSINESS STUDIES has the following departments. Commerce
Financial Studies

C: The Faculty of INT. DISP. & APPLIED SCIENCES has the following departments.

Bio-Physics

Biochemistry

Electronic Science

Genetics

Microbiology

Physical Education & Sports Sciences

Plant Molecular Biology

D. The Faculty of MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES has the following departments.

Computer Science

Mathematics

Operational Research

Statistics

E. The Faculty of MEDICAL SCIENCES has the following departments.

Anaesthesiology & Critical Care

Anatomy

Community Medicine

Dermatology & STD

Forensic Medicine

Medical Bio-Chemistry

Medical Microbiology

Medicine

Obstetrics & Gyanaecology

Opthalmology

Orthopaedics

Otolaryngology (ENT)

Paediatrics

Pathology

Pharmacology

Physiology

Psychiatry

Radiology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis

Surgery

Tuberculosis & Respiratory Disease

F. The Faculty of MUSIC & FINE ARTS has the following departments.

Fine Arts

Music

G. The Faculty of SCIENCE has the following departments.

Agro-Chemicals & Pest Management

Anthropology

Botany

Chemistry

Environmental Biology

Geology

Home Science

Nursing

Pharmacy

Physics

Zoology

H. The Faculty of SOCIAL SCIENCES has the following departments.

Adult, Continuing Education & Extension

African Studies

East Asian Studies

Economics

Geography

History

Slavonic & Finno-Ugrian Studies

Social Work

Sociology

I. The Faculty of TECHNOLOGY has the following departments.

Applied Chemistry

Applied Mathematics

Applied Physics

Civil & Environmental Engineering

Computer Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Electronics & Communication Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Production & Industrial Engineering

Accomplishments of HBCUs (snippets)

2006-10-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Higher Education Desegregation

U.S. Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Washington, D.C. 20202-1100

March 1991

(SNIPPETS FROM THIS DOCUMENT)

Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were established to serve the educational needs of black Americans. Prior to the time of their establishment, and for many years afterwards, blacks were generally denied admission to traditionally white institutions. As a result, HBCUs became the principle means for providing postsecondary education to black Americans.

Today, HBCUs must fulfill educational goals far beyond those initially set. President George Bush described the unique mission of black colleges as follows:

"At a time when many schools barred their doors to black Americans, these colleges offered the best, and often the only, opportunity for a higher education."

Today, thank heavens, most of those barriers have been brought down by the law, and yet historically black colleges and universities still represent a vital component of American higher education.

...
By 1953, more-than 32,000 students were enrolled in such well known private black institutions as Fisk University, Hampton Institute, Howard University, Meharry Medical College, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Tuskegee Institute, as well as a host of smaller black colleges located in southern and border states. In the same year, over 43,000 students were enrolled in public black colleges. HBCUs enrolled 3,200 students in graduate programs. These private and public institutions mutually served the important mission of providing education for teachers, ministers, lawyers, and doctors for the black population in a racially segregated society.
...
In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education rejected the "separate but equal" doctrine and held that racially segregated public schools deprive black children of equal protection guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The Plessy decision, which had governed public education policy for more than a half-century, was overturned. Despite the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown, most HBCUs remained segregated with poorer facilities and budgets compared with traditionally white institutions. Lack of adequate libraries and scientific and research equipment and capabilities placed a serious handicap on many. Many of the public HBCUs closed or merged with traditionally white institutions. However, most black college students continued to attend HBCUs years after the decision was rendered.
...

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HBCUs

Under the plans, substantial progress has been made by many states in desegregation of their state systems of higher education. At the same time, HBCUs continue to be a vital resource in the nation's educational system. Among their accomplishments are the following:

HBCUs have played an historical role in enhancing equal educational opportunity for all students.

More than 80 percent of all black Americans who received degrees in medicine and dentistry were trained at the two traditionally black institutions of medicine and dentistry--Howard University and Meharry Medical College. (Today, these institutions still account for 19.7 percent of degrees awarded in medicine and dentistry to black students.)
HBCUs have provided undergraduate training for three fourths of all black persons holding a doctorate degree; three fourths of all black officers in the armed forces; and four fifths of all black federal judges.
HBCUs are leading institutions in awarding baccalaureate degrees to black students in the life sciences, physical sciences mathematics, and engineering.
HBCUs continue to rank high in terms of the proportion of graduates who pursue and complete graduate and professional training.

Fifty percent of black faculty in traditionally white research universities received their bachelor's degrees at an HBCU.

...

Today, there are 107 HBCUs with more than 228,000 students enrolled. Fifty-six institutions are under private control, and 51 are public colleges and universities. The public institutions account for more than two-thirds of the students in historically black institutions. Most (87) of the institutions are four-year colleges or universities, and 20 are two-year institutions. In the past, more than 80 percent of all black college graduates have been trained at these HBCUs.

Today, HBCUs enroll 20 percent of black undergraduates. However, HBCUs award 40 percent of baccalaureate degrees earned by black college students.

...

Top Colleges Awarding Degrees to Hispanics

2006-10-22T18:11:00.000-07:00

Bachelors: (Note all the top ten colleges are in states where the Hispanic population is high. Also they are located in specific areas where the Hispanic population is very high. Similarly, if India wants more highly educated STs it needs to establish top-notch universities -- Central Universities, in areas with high density of STs.)


1	FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY	FL	2677
2	THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-PAN AMERICAN	TX	1666
3	THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO	TX	1514
4	CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-FULLERTON	CA	1380
5	CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-NORTHRIDGE	CA	1310
6	CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-LONG BEACH	CA	1301
7	THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO	TX	1229
8	THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN	TX	1171
9	SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY	CA	1138
10	UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES	CA	1053

Schemes of the Ministry of Tribal Welfare

2006-10-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

Strategy

Achievements

Evaluation

Schemes in Short

Dcentralisation of Procedures and guidelines for the Scheme

DETAILS OF SCHEMES

Special Central Assistance

Grants under first Provision to Article 275 (1) of the Constitution

Grant in Aid to voluntary Organizations for the welfare of the Scheduled Tribes

Establishment of Ashram Schools

Girls Hostels

Boys Hostels

Scheme For Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs)

Schemes of Educational complex in low literacy pockets

Vocational Training Center in Tribal Areas

Scheme of Research and Training

Scheme for Awards of Research and Fellowship

Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation

PostMatric Scholarship

Grain Banks

Book Banks

Centrally Sponsored Education & Training Programes

Centraly Sponsered Scheme for Coaching and Allied Activities

Scheme Of Educational Complex

Tribal Welfare schemes (Oct 22, 2006)

2006-10-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

From http://tribal.nic.in/index1.html --> Tribal Welfare

STRATEGY - THE TSP APPROACH

The Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) Strategy has been adopted for all round development of tribal areas throughout the country since Fifth Five-Year Plan. Under the TSP approach almost entire tribal inhabited area have been covered under one of the following, depending upon their population percentile:

i)	Integrated Area Development Project (ITDPs)
ii)	Modified Area Development Approach (MADA)
iii)	Clusters
iv)	Primitive Tribal Groups

The TSP approach ensures allocation of fund for tribal areas from State Plan as well as Central Ministries, at least proportionate to population of tribals in the state (from state plan) and to the overall proportionate tribal population for the country from the budget of Central Ministries and Financial Institutions etc.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE SCHEMES

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements various Schemes and Programmes aimed at welfare and development of Scheduled Tribes. An Overview of the activities of the Ministry is as follows:-

SPECIAL CENTRAL ASSISTANCE TO TRIBAL SUB-PLAN: (SCA TO TSP)

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs extends special central assistance to the TSP States and Union Territories and also to North Eastern States of Assam, Manipur and Tripura as an additional grant to these states/UTs. These grants are basically meant for family oriented income generating Scheme in various TSP areas to meet the gaps, which have not otherwise been taken care of by the State Plan.

GRANTS UNDER FIRST PROVISO TO ARTICLE 275 (1) OF THE CONSTITUTION

The Ministry provides Grant-in-Aid to TSP and tribal majority States under Article 275 (1) of the constitution to meet the cost of such projects for tribal development as may be undertaken by the State Government for raising the level of administration of Scheduled Areas therein to the level of the rest of the state. In the Ninth Plan, besides other projects, from the funds allocated under this Scheme it was proposed to establish 100 Residential Schools on the pattern of Navodaya Vidyalayas.

GIRLS' HOSTEL

The Scheme for construction of Girls Hostels for STs is a useful instrument for spreading education among tribal girls whose literacy is only 18.91% as per 1991 census. Under the Scheme funds are provided to all the TSP States and Union Territories having tribal population for construction of hostels on sharing basis (50:50) to States and 100% to UTs.

BOYS' HOSTEL

Like the Scheme for Girls Hostel, under this Scheme funds are provided to states on sharing basis (50:50) and 100% to UTs for construction of Boys Hostel for STs.

ASHRAM SCHOOLS IN TRIBAL SUB-PLAN AREAS

The Ministry under the Scheme provides funds to all the States and UTs having tribal population for establishment of residential schools for STs in an environment conducive to learning near their habitations on sharing basis (50:50) to States and 100% to UTs.

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

The main aim of this Scheme is to develop the skill of the tribal youth in order to get employment or to avail opportunities for self-employment. Under this Scheme cent percent grant is provided to States/ UTs/ State Government run institutions or organizations as well as registered Non Governmental Organizations for establishment of Vocational Training Centres with the capacity of 100 students at each centre.

EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX IN LOW LITERACY POCKETS FOR WOMEN IN TRIBAL AREAS

This Scheme provides cent percent financial assistance to NGOs/ Organization established by government as autonomous bodies/educational & other institutions like Cooperative Societies, to establish educational complexes in 136 identified districts of erstwhile 11 states (now 13) where tribal female literacy is below 10% as per 1991 census. Educational complex is meant for girls studying from class I to V with strength of 30 students in each class. The grants are provided to meet non-recurring as well as recurring expenses on building (hiring or maintenance) teaching, boarding, lodging and to also for medical and health care of students.

GRANTS-IN-AID TO STATE TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATIVE CORPORATIONS AND OTHERS

This is a Central Sector Scheme, with 100% grant, available to the state Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation (STDCCs) and other similar corporations of State engaged in collection and trading of minor forest produce (MFP) through tribals Grants under the Scheme are provided to strengthen the Share Capital of Corporations, construction of Warehouses, establishment of processing industries of MFPs etc. to ensure high profitability of the corporation so as to enable them to pay remunerative prices for MFPs to the tribals.

PRICE SUPPORT TO TRIFED

The Ministry provides Grants-in-aid to its corporation, TRIFED to set off losses on account of fluctuations in prices of MFPs being marketed by it for ensuring remunerative prices to tribals engaged in collection of MFPs either directly or through STDCCs and other such Cooperative Societies.

INVESTMENT IN SHARE CAPITAL OF TRIFED

The Ministry is the largest shareholder of TRIFED with over 99% contribution in its Share Capital. Under this Scheme, the Ministry provides funds to TRIFED as its contribution in the Share Capital.

VILLAGE GRAIN BANKS

This Scheme provides Grants for establishment of Village Grain Banks to prevent deaths of STs specially children in remote and backward tribal villages facing or likely to face starvation and also to improve nutritional standards. The Scheme provides funds for building storage facility, procurement of Weights & Measures and for the purchase of initial stock of one quintal of food grain of local variety for each family. A Committee under Chairmanship of village Headman runs the Grain Bank thus established.

GRANT-IN-AID TO VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS

As many as 27 types of projects with focus on tribal education, literacy, medical & health care, vocational training in agriculture, horticulture, craftsmanship etc., are being supported by the Ministry under this Scheme through registered Non-Governmental Organizations.

RESEARCH & TRAINING

Under the Scheme "Research & Training" the Ministry provides financial assistance under three components:-

(i)	Grants to Tribal Research Institutes on 50:50 sharing basis; for conducting Research & Evaluation Studies, Seminars, Workshops etc.
(ii)	Award of Research Fellowship to Tribal Students on 100% basis registered in Indian Universities.
(iii)	Supporting projects of All-India or Inter-State nature on 100% basis to NGOs/Universities etc. for conducting research on tribal matters, Travel Grants and for Publication of Books on tribals.

DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMITIVE TRIBAL GROUPS

Under this Scheme cent per-cent assistance is provided to NGOs and other institutions for under-taking projects on development of PTGs on activities mainly focusing on their food security literacy, agriculture technology up gradation, etc.

POST MATRIC SCHOLARSHIPS, OVERSEAS SCHOLARSHIPS AND BOOK BANKS

The post-matric scholarship Scheme provides financial assistance to all ST students for pursuance of post-matric studies in recognized institutions within India. The Scheme provides for 100% assistance from the Ministry to State Governments and UT Administrations implementing the Scheme, over and above their respective committed liabilities. The Ministry also gives financial assistance for setting up Book-Banks in institutions running professional courses like Medicine, Engineering, Law, Agriculture, Veterinary, Chartered Accountancy, Business Management, and Bio-Sciences. Annually, Ministry provides financial assistance to 9 meritorious ST students for Post-graduate, Doctoral and Post-Doctoral studies in foreign universities/institutions of repute.

UPGRADATION OF MERIT AND COACHING

These Schemes provide 100% central assistance to State/UT Administrations. The up gradation of merit Scheme is for arranging coaching classes in reputed colleges for developing competence among ST students for their better performance in competitive examinations conducted by various universities institutes for admission to Medical and Engineering courses while the Scheme for coaching is for conducting Pre-Examination Coaching for tribal students for various examinations conducted by UPSC, SSC, Banking Services Recruitment Boards etc.

MONITORING & EVALUATION OF EFFORTS ON TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT

The Constitution of India guarantees not only the social-economic upliftment of tribal people but also provides for objective evaluation of the administration and control of the Scheduled Areas and the Scheduled Tribes in any State other than Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura (for which there are separate provisions) through the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution Article 244 (i) ensures submission of Annual Reports by the Governors of the States to President of India regarding administration of the Scheduled Areas and setting up of Tribal Advisory Council to advise on such matters pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs being the Nodal Ministry for overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for the development of tribals, monitors the progress and achievement made by variousMinistries/Departments for 22 TSP States/UTs under Point 11(b) of the 20 Point Programme.The Ministry monitors the achievements made under various developmental programmes by engaging State Tribal Research Institutes/Universities/other institutions and also through field inspection by Officers of the Ministry.

GOVERNORS' REPORTS

The Governors' Report is an objective evaluation of the development efforts undertaken by the State Government in Scheduled Areas of the State with regard to administration. The Scheduled Areas have been declared in eight States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar (now Bihar & Jharkhand), Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (now Madhya Pradesh & Chhatisgarh), Orissa and Rajasthan, Governor's Report provides an unbiased assessment of the situation in Scheduled Areas of the State, inter alia, various measures taken for up gradation of administration of such areas, implementation of protective laws, matters referred to the "Tribal Advisory Council" (TAC) and their recommendations etc.

The States are required to send the Governor's Report within six months of the closing of the financial year i.e. by 30th September of each year. The latest position of receipt of the report is given in table below:-

TRIBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (TAC)

Eight States having Scheduled Areas, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar (now Bihar & Chhatisgarh), Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (now Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh), Orissa & Rajasthan and two Non Scheduled Area States, namely, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have constituted TACs. The TACs consist of not more than twenty-five members of whom as many as three-fourth members are Scheduled Tribe representatives of the State Legislative Assembly (ST-MLAs). The Governor of the State may refer matters concerning to administration of welfare of tribals to the TACs for recommendations.

The Ministry issues guidelines for TACs. As per latest guidelines the TACs should meet at least twice a year and discuss the issues concerning tribal interests and making appropriate recommendation for protection of tribal interests.

POINT 11(B) OF 20 POINT PROGRAMME

The point 11 (b) of 20 Point Programme is to provide economic assistance to the Scheduled Tribe families to enable them to rise above poverty line. The ST families are assisted through various Schemes implemented by Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Sericulture, Forestry, Small & Cottage Industries, etc.

The Ministry fixes the targets for 22 States/UT s and also monitors the progress of achievements on monthly basis. The officers of the Ministry inspected more than 75 projects in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Why KBK central university?

2006-10-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

1. The backward districts have a lot of ST population. If we want more educated ST then a better and complementary stratgey (to having reservations in far flung institutions) is to have good educational institutions in the place where the STs live; i.e., in places like KBK.
Reservations in far flung institutions are not as helpful because very few people living in the backward districts figure out a way to go there, and the very few who figure out a way to go to Delhi or Hyderabad, do not usually return back.

2. Money poured into the backward districts are often not spent properly as many officers do not want to live in the backward districts (like KBK). Teachers appointed and/or transferred to such districts often lobby in state capitals to change their transfer/appointment, and many do not join their services. Same with respect to doctors. Thus we need teachers and doctors and other educated professional developed right there in the backward districts. This can happen only if we establish institutions (like central universities) that provide programs and opportunities for people in KBK and similar backward districts to become a doctor or a teacher or an engineer.

3. State vs Central: One may wonder why can not 1 & 2 be achieved by the state establishing higher education institutions in the backward districts. First, many of the states (like Orissa) do not yet have the money to do so. Second, state institutions and universities, if established, may suffer the problem, that many educated people from outside may not come to join these institutions. On the other hand central universities have a reputation because of which people from not only the same state, but from all over India are willing to relocate and join them.

4. This has not been tried: The LTAP and RLTAP and focused on many other aspects to improve KBK, but it did not have the component of higher education, and perhaps because of that, it did not achieve much. Hence , in tandem with other initiatives for backward districts, it is important to have advanced and higher education opportunity available right there in the backward districts like KBK.

5. What about primary education? Several initiatives (such as hostels for tribal girls, Ekal Vidaylay, etc.), are already on the way in regards to primary and secondary education. In addition together with the central universities there should be some monitired/attached schools such as Kendriya Vidayalayas. Plus the exisiting (and newly made) tribal hostels and Ekal Vidyalayas should be connected to the Central university so that
from an early age the students know about the opportunities and even have some role models.

6. Where in KBK? Since KBK is a vast area the proposed central university should be distributed across the various districts of KBK as well as the adjacent Gajapati and Kandhamala districts which have HDI worse than some of the KBK districts. The university should be like Delhi University in that it should have several colleges across the various campuses. (Allahbad University also has a similar structure.) Some of the colleges could be like community colleges in the US, focusing on more vocational programs. Our initial suggestion is to have the colleges spread across the following towns in KBK+Gajapati+Kandhamala:

Parlakhemundi (Gajapati) - narrow gauge (broad gauge by 2008-09)
Rayagada (Rayagada) - broad gauge (junction)
Koraput (Koraput) - broad gauge (junction)
Jeypore (Koraput) - broad gauge
Bhawanipatna (Kalahandi) - broad gauge being made
Malkangiri (Malkangiri) -
Nabarangpur (Nabarangpur) -
Titilagarh (Balangir) - broad gauge (junction)
Nuaparha (Nuapara) - broad gauge
Balangir (Balangir) - broad gauge
Sonapur (Sonepur) -
Baligurha or G. Udaygiri (Kandhamala)
Phulbani (Kandhamala)

Among these Rayagada is best connected by trains. So that could be the initial HQ of the university.

----

Update: (7th November 2006)

Other reasons:

A: According to NSSO survey
(i) Central govt spending of Higher education in Orissa is among the lowest.

(ii) Orissa has only 4.1 per cent rural youth enrolled in higher education.
(National average: 20 per cent of urban youth are enrolled in colleges as compared to just 7.9 per cent in rural India.)

(iii) Central universities work: In the north-eastern states, where most universities are funded by the Central Government, with overall higher education enrolment figure close to 40 per cent.

(B) In the US the Historically Black colleges and Universities, mostly located in areas with a significant Black population, contribute a significant number of highly educated blacks.

Similarly, the top 10 universities in terms of awarding higher education degrees to Hispanics are all in states and locations with a large number of Hispanic population.

Thus, the best way to increase the number of ST with higher education is to establish good universities (like central universities) in those areas.

Backward district Clusters in an India map

2006-10-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

India's poorest districts

2006-10-22T16:51:00.000-07:00

From http://www.empowerpoor.com/backgrounder.asp?report=4

India’s poorest districts

Regional disparities in development in India (see Disparities in national development) can be better identified by looking at smaller areas: districts or development blocks rather than broad geographical regions.

Attempts to identify the poorest or most backward districts in the country have been made since 1960. So far, nine committees have been set up on this issue at the national level.

One of the most elaborate exercises for the identification of backward districts was conducted in 1997 by a committee of the Government of India's Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment. Headed by EAS Sarma, who was then Principal Advisor to the Planning Commission, the committee used a composite method with differing weights for parameters such as:

incidence of poverty

education

health

water supply

transport and communications, and

degree of industrialisation.

The Sarma Committee's list of 100 most backward districts included:

38 districts from undivided Bihar

19 from undivided Madhya Pradesh

17 from undivided Uttar Pradesh

10 from Maharashtra, and

a smaller number of districts from other states.

(Note: The PACS Programme's coverage area is based on this list. To see the state-wise list of all 100 districts click here.)

There were no districts from Gujarat, Goa, Kerala, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The north-eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir were not considered by the committee as it felt "they had problems which were specific and peculiar to them".

Recently, the Planning Commission has drawn up another list of 100 backward districts. This list is specific to the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) programme drawn up under the Tenth Plan. It covers one or more backward districts in all states of the country except Delhi, Goa, Bihar and Orissa. The first two have been excluded because they have no backward districts. The other two have been excluded because the RSVY programme has special components for Bihar and the Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) region of Orissa. See full list of RSVY districts.

Non-government experts and organisations have also attempted to draw up lists of 'most backward' districts. One comprehensive estimation of district-level deprivation was recently made by Bibek Debroy of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi, and Laveesh Bhandari of Indicus Analytics.

In their report, District-level Deprivation in the New Millennium (Konark Publishers, New Delhi; 2003), they used six indicators derived from the UN Millennium Development Goals:

poverty

hunger

infant mortality

immunisation, and

literacy and elementary school enrolment.

They considered districts which figured in the bottom quarter under four of these six criteria as the 'most backward' districts in the country.

The list has 69 districts. Most of them are located in the states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand. Other than these states, the 'most backward' districts are found only in Arunachal Pradesh (3 districts), Karnataka (1) and Madhya Pradesh (5). See full list.

The two lists mentioned above do not overlap as they are based on different criteria. However, there is one common thread: most of India's backward districts are in the central and eastern part of the country -- the area covered by the PACS Programme.

Excerpts from "Disparities in national development"

2006-10-22T16:46:00.000-07:00

...
From this perspective, India's five 'poorest' states, according to the Planning Commission's 1999-2000 figures, were:

Orissa (47.15% of the population was below the poverty line in 1999-2000)

Bihar (42. 60%)

Madhya Pradesh (37.43%)

Sikkim (36.55%), and

Assam (36.09%).

...
There is considerable evidence to support the east-west divide theory. For instance, if we look at 1997-98 figures of per capita net state domestic product,

The lowest figures are all from states in the eastern half:

Bihar (Rs 1,126)

Assam (Rs 1,675)

Orissa (Rs 1,666)

Uttar Pradesh (Rs 1,725), and

Meghalaya (Rs 1,804).

...

Accordingly, the 'very high poverty' regions of the country with a rural poverty ratio of above 60 are:

Southern (undivided) Bihar

South-western (undivided) Madhya Pradesh

Southern Orissa

Southern Uttar Pradesh

The 'high poverty' regions with a rural poverty ratio between 41 and 60 are:

Northern and central (undivided) Bihar

Central and eastern (undivided) Uttar Pradesh

Himalayan and eastern West Bengal

Coastal and northern Orissa

Southern Rajasthan

Hilly and western plain regions of Assam and all parts of the other north-eastern states

Central, northern (inland) and eastern parts of Maharashtra

Central, southern and Chhattisgarh region of (undivided) Madhya Pradesh

Northern coastal region of Tamil Nadu

Sikkim

Dadra & Nagar Haveli

The report also notes:

'Very high poverty' regions across the country in different states have a predominantly tribal population. These regions are rocky and dry yet densely populated because of their agro-climatic conditions.

Likewise, 'high poverty' regions of different states have a large tribal population, are thickly populated, semi-arid and have been "historically neglected".

A comprehensive estimation of district-level deprivation made recently by Bibek Debroy of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi, and Laveesh Bhandari of Indicus Analytics in District-level Deprivation in the New Millennium (Konark Publishers, New Delhi; 2003), came up with other significant findings:

Most highways and rail networks tend to be in areas outside the most backward districts.

All the most backward districts lie in low-growth regions.

The most backward districts have the lowest presence of trained personnel during deliveries.

Districts in eastern India tend to have lower pupil-teacher ratios compared to districts in western India.

State-wise poverty lines, number of poor and poverty ratio for the year 1999-2000

No	States	Rural			Urban			Combined
No	States	Number of persons*	Poverty ratio	Poverty line**	Number of persons*	Poverty ratio	Poverty line**	Number of persons*	Poverty ratio
1	Andhra Pradesh	58.13	11.05	262.94	60.88	26.63	457.40	119.01	15.77
2	Arunachal Pradesh	3.80	40.04	365.43	0.18	7.47	343.99	3.98	33.47
3	Assam	92.17	40.04	365.43	2.38	7.47	343.99	94.55	36.09
4	Bihar	376.51	44.30	333.07	49.13	32.91	379.78	425.64	42.60
5	Goa	0.11	1.35	318.63	0.59	7.52	539.71	0.70	4.40
6	Gujarat	39.80	13.17	318.94	28.09	15.59	474.41	67.89	14.07
7	Haryana	11.94	8.27	362.81	5.39	9.99	420.20	17.34	8.74
8	Himachal Pradesh	4.84	7.94	367.45	0.29	4.63	420.20	5.12	7.63
9	Jammu and Kashmir	2.97	3.97	367.45	0.49	1.98	420.20	3.46	3.48
10	Karnataka	59.91	17.38	309.59	44.49	25.25	511.44	104.40	20.04
11	Kerala	20.97	9.38	374.79	20.07	20.27	477.06	41.04	12.72
12	Madhya Pradesh	217.32	37.06	311.34	81.22	38.44	481.65	298.54	37.43
13	Maharashtra	125.12	23.72	318.63	102.87	26.81	539.71	227.99	25.02
14	Manipur	6.53	40.04	365.43	0.66	7.47	343.99	7.19	28.54
15	Meghalaya	7.89	40.04	365.43	0.34	7.47	343.99	8.23	33.87
16	Mizoram	1.40	40.04	365.43	0.45	7.47	343.99	1.85	19.47
17	Nagaland	5.21	40.04	365.43	0.28	7.47	343.99	5.49	32.67
18	Orissa	143.69	48.01	323.92	25.40	42.83	473.12	169.09	47.15
19	Punjab	10.20	6.35	362.68	4.29	5.75	388.15	14.49	6.16
20	Rajasthan	55.06	13.74	344.03	26.78	19.85	465.92	81.83	15.28
21	Sikkim	2.00	40.04	365.43	0.04	7.47	343.99	2.05	36.55
22	Tamil Nadu	80.51	20.55	307.64	49.97	22.11	475.60	130.48	21.12
23	Tripura	12.53	40.04	365.43	0.49	7.47	343.99	13.02	34.44
24	Uttar Pradesh	412.01	31.22	336.88	117.88	30.89	416.29	529.89	31.15
25	West Bengal	180.11	31.85	350.17	33.38	14.86	409.22	213.49	27.02
26	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	0.58	20.55	307.64	0.24	22.11	475.60	0.82	20.99
27	Chandigarh	0.06	5.75	388.15	0.45	5.75	388.15	0.51	5.75
28	Dadra & Nagar Haveli	0.30	17.57	318.63	0.03	13.52	539.71	0.33	17.14
29	Daman & Diu	0.01	1.35	318.63	0.05	7.52	539.71	0.06	4.44
30	Delhi	0.07	0.40	362.68	11.42	9.42	505.45	11.49	8.23
31	Lakshadweep	0.03	9.38	374.79	0.08	20.27	477.06	0.11	15.60
32	Pondicherry	0.64	20.55	307.64	1.77	22.11	475.60	2.41	21.67

* In lakhs
** Rs monthly per capita

Source: Planning Commission, Government of India

India’s 69 most backward districts: Report of Bibek Debroy and Laveesh Bhandari

2006-10-22T16:32:00.000-07:00

Below is the list of 69 most backward districts of India presented by Bibek Debroy of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi, and Laveesh Bhandari of Indicus Analytics in their report District-level Deprivation in the New Millennium (Konark Publishers, New Delhi; 2003).

Many of the districts in this list are covered under the PACS Programme's scope, which is defined by another list of 100 most backward districts prepared in 1997 by a committee of the Government of India's Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment.

State	District
Arunachal Pradesh	Changlang
	Lohit
	Tirap
Bihar	Araira *
	Banka
	Begusarai *
	Darbhanga *
	Gopalganj *
	Jamui
	Kaimur
	Khagaria *
	Kishanganj *
	Lakhisarai
	Madhepura *
	Muzaffarpur *
	Nalanda *
	Nawada *
	Paschim Champaran *
	Purba Champaran *
	Purnia *
	Saharsa *
	Samastipur *
	Saran *
	Sheikhpura
	Sheohar
	Sitamarhi *
	Siwan *
	Supaul
	Vaishali *
Jharkhand	Chatra
	Dumka *
	Garhwa
	Giridih *
	Godda *
	Gumla *
	Kodarma
	Palamu *
	Paschimi Singhbhum*
	Sahibganj *
Karnataka	Gulbarga
Madhya Pradesh	Chhatarpur *
	Damoh *
	Dhar
	Jhabua
	Panna *
	Tikamgarh *
Orissa	Balangir
	Gajapati
	Kalahandi
	Kandhamal
	Koraput
	Mayurbhanj
	Nabarangapur
	Nuapada
	Rayagada
	Sundergarh
Uttar Pradesh	Bara Banki *
	Basti
	Bijnor
	Budaun
	Fatehpur *
	Jyotiba Phule Nagar
	Maharajganj *
	Moradabad
	Pilibhit
	Rae Bareli *
	Sant Kabir Nagar
	Sitapur *
	Unnao *

* Covered by PACS Programme

Comparative HDI of Orissa districts (From Chapter 8)

2006-10-22T14:44:00.000-07:00

LONG-TERM ACTION PLAN (LTAP): 1995-96 – 2001-02

2006-10-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

A Long Term Action Plan (LTAP) for the KBK districts was formulated in consultation with the Government of India for a period of seven years from 1995-96 to 2001-2002 with two principal objectives in view: (i) drought and distress proofing, and (ii) poverty alleviation and development saturation. LTAP envisaged an outlay of Rs. Rs.4,557.03 crore. This included Rs.4,167.82 crore as normal flow of funds in sight. A gap of Rs.389.21 crore was projected to be filled up by way of availing additional assistance from Govt. of India. However, a meagre additionality of only Rs.20.49 crore was received from Government of India from 1995-96 to 1997-98 against the State requirement of Rs. 289.71 crore. Therefore, LTAP did not take off for want of availability of sufficient funds. Department-wise, scheme-wise and year-wise allocations and expenditures of the aforesaid additionalities are summarised in Table 4.

Table 4: Department-wise and Scheme-wise Allocations and Expenditures of Additionalities Under LTAP for KBK Districts: 1995-96-1997-98
S. No.	Depart-ment	Scheme	Allocation & Expenditure of Additionalities (Rs. in Crore)
			Year-wise Allocation				Total Expdr.
			1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	Total	Total Expdr.
1.	Agri.	Fertiliser use*	0.58	--	--	0.58	0.58
		Fertiliser use**	0.40	--	--	0.40	0.40
		Fruit Dev#	1.16	--	--	1.16	1.16
2.	F.A. R. D.	Ram Development	0.11	--	--	0.11	0.11
2.	F.A. R. D.	Dairy Development	2.00	--	--	2.00	2.00
3.	H & FW	Mobile health Units	4.10	--	2.00	6.10	3.44
4.	W & CD	Emergency Feeding	4.00	--	2.00	6.00	6.83
5.	Rural Dev	Million wells	--	--	4.14	4.14	4.14
Total			12.35	--	8.14	20.49	18.66

Notes: * National Project on development of fertilizer use.

** Balance & integrated use of fertilizers.

# “Integrated development of tropical, arid zone and temperate fruits” scheme.

KBK Adivasi Central University & similar ones in other backward-n-tribal district clusters

State BJP repeated demand for IIT and Central University in Orissa

KBK Varsity likely to come up soon

Central Tribal Varsity Being Planned In Orissa

Summary of mass movement in Malkangiri for a KBK central university: by Mr Lalit Patnaik

TOI: Special plan envisages setting up of 30 Central Universities

Demand for KBK central varsity gains momentum: The Pioneer

Roar for KBK Central Univ: Tathya

Pioneer: Demand for KBK Central varsity gains momentum

Meeting at Koraput on KBK Central University on 29th July: A message from Lalit Babu

National tribal varsity branch soon in Jharkhand

Pioneer: Naveen shoots off letter to PM over central varsity in KBK

Statesman: Naveen’s missive on varsity in KBK region

New Indian Express: Orissa feels rejected once again

Statesman: CM demands varsity in KBK region

Fax campaign against repeated injustice by MHRD

Dharitri: Hopes dashed on KBK Central University

Pioneer: Arjun hijacks plans for KBK varsity

Tathyain: Arjun highjack Naveen plan

Pramila Bahidar raises KBK Central University issue in Rajya Sabha: Janamukha

CM takes up Central varsity for KBK plea with Arjun

Chandrasekhar Sahu meets PM and mentions KBK Central University

State urges Centre for a central tribal university: The New Indian Express

Higer Education Minister of Orissa repeats the demand of a KBK Central University in the state: Samaja

Orissa Education Minister demands IIT and KBK Univ

Education Minister says proposal for a Central Tribal University in the state is given to the center: The Samaja

Looking for the lost keys under the street lamp: Why central universities in backward/tribal district clusters make sense?

Ten Important Points on Why KBK Region Urgently Needs a National Educational Institute such as KBK Central University?

Congress Party demanded University in KBK region: Mr Narayanswami

Decks cleared for IISER

Kalahandi, Balangir, Koraput and Phulbani Districts are always backward in Government Funded Higher Education Institution

Open Letter to honorable PM, HRD Minister, Planning Commission and National Knowledge Commission

Center is betraying Orissa for a central University: The Samaja

Rajya Sabha Q & A on KBK central University on 19.12.2005

KBK Central University Proposal

HRD Ministry asks State for comments on tribal varsity

Fifth Schedule areas

Centre proposes tribal varsity

KBK Adivasi Central University

Poverty Ratio among SCs, STs, OBCs and others (1999-2000)

NSSO study shows widening urban-rural gap

State University proposed Satellite Campus in KBK region

Satellite Campus proposed by VC in KBK region

PRESS RELEASE OF 24/10/2005(CM MET UNION MINISTER FOR HRD..... )

Japaneese National Universities

Tribal areas of Orissa

Tribes of Orissa

Statewise tribal population of India

Districtwise ST population in Orissa

Delhi University colleges and departments

Accomplishments of HBCUs (snippets)

Top Colleges Awarding Degrees to Hispanics

Schemes of the Ministry of Tribal Welfare

Tribal Welfare schemes (Oct 22, 2006)

Why KBK central university?

Backward district Clusters in an India map

India's poorest districts

Excerpts from "Disparities in national development"

India’s 69 most backward districts: Report of Bibek Debroy and Laveesh Bhandari

Comparative HDI of Orissa districts (From Chapter 8)

LONG-TERM ACTION PLAN (LTAP): 1995-96 – 2001-02

Year-wise Allocation

Total