Talks fail; Central varsity to be set up in Koraput

The Pioneer, 13th August, 2008

Pioneer News Service Bhubaneswar
The KBK Central University Action Committee's talks with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik regarding setting up a Central university in Kalahandi on Tuesday failed. In response to the failure of talks, the Action Committee has given a call to all people's representatives from the district to tender resignation from their posts.
A 40-member delegation of the Action Committee met the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat and held talks regarding setting up a university. They argued that as the Centre put emphasis on establishment of a Central university in KBK, it should be set up in Kalahandi as it is centrally located. They reportedly told to the Chief Minister that it was unfortunate on behalf of the Government to set up the university in Koraput. "We have given a memorandum to the State Government in 2002 and our interest was ignored," they said.
Later, the Chief Minister said a decision regarding setting up the university at Koraput was already taken. "We have intimated it to the Centre on this issue and the university would come up near Koraput town," he said, adding that the Government would soon take up steps to set up education centres in Kalahandi. Sources said the Chief Minister also assured the delegation in this regard. As the model code of conduct has already been announced, the Government could not make any announcement to this effect.
After the meeting, convener of the Action Committee Lambodar Sahu, former professor Gopabandhu Behera and Jagannath Mund said the Government had tried to deceive the people of the district. "The people of Kalahandi will oppose any Government move in this regard," they said.