To
Honorable Union Minister of HRD
CC
Honroable Prime Minister Dr Singh
Honroable Chief Minister of Odisha Mr Patnaik
Higher Education Task Force, Odisha
Media
Dear Mr Sibal,
Kalahandi and Koraput regions have been struggling since independence for establishing higher educational institutions in the region. Since past 60 years till 2007, not a single state Government and/or central Government technical/medical college or Universities were established in undivided Kalahandi and Koraput. I am very disappointed to learn that now some people are working against these regions by undermining interest of the region and proposing to establish National/Central University or its branch in Angul-Dhenkanal region having two central Govt. funded institutions (IIMC and a recently proposed Medical college by Coal Ministry). In Odisha all the central Government funded higher educational and research institutions are located in 200 km radius of Bhubaneswar except NIT Rourkela and Central University at Koraput.
I have written you often in multiple letters on justification of establishing National University and/or branch of Central University in Kalahandi along with Koraput, its very unfortunate that instead of working on this matter, some of the policy makers and administrators are working like MAFIA against higher education and research infrastructure development of KBK region and proposing location like Angul, Dhenkanal, Behrmapur as per their personal convenience, when the distance of Central University Koraput and Bhawaniptana is more than between Bhubaneswar and any of the Angul, Dhenkanal, Behrmapur, Balasore, Puri etc and these regions in Costal Odisha has one or more number of central Government funded higher education or research institution. Proposing such location due to political and personal reasons is unfortunate.
It is also advisable that administrators and VC of Central University of Odisha works and spend more time in Koraput rather than in Bhubaneswar. The branch of CUO in Bhubaneswar looks like due to personal reason rather actual requirement of CUO at Koraput.
KBK region has been deprived for 60 years and currently it needs special attention to fill up the gap made in those decades.
I draw your attention the following personally shared by Shri K. C. Panigrahy with me and anticipate you will look into this matter raised by Shri Panigrahy and solve the current problem of Central University at Koraput.
Thank you and best regards
Digambara Patra
..................................................................
To
All the News Paper and TV Channels, Lr.No. 35/JM/10
News editor, press representatives and Dt- 4.01.2010
other concerned persons.
Sub : In response to the allegations against Sri Jagannath Mandir, Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput (Odisha) made by Prof. Surabhi Banerjee, Hon’ble VC of the Central University of Orissa, Koraput in a press conference on February 3,2010 at Bhubaneswar.
Dear Sirs,
In response to the allegations made against Sri Jagannath Mandir, Koraput in a press Conference at Bhubaneswar, we are enclosing here with Letter No.23/JM/10 Dated 27.01.2010 addressed to Sri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil IAS, Collector & District Magistrate -cum- working President, Sri Jagannath Mandir,Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput. which will clear the confusion created by the Hon’ble VC Prof. Surabhi Banerjee.
It seems, the statement in a press conference of Hon’ble VC Prof. Surabhi Benerjee is a panic reaction as the copies of these letters were sent to all concerned and we have submitted an application to the University under RTI to supply certain documents.
Infact, we are not able to appreciate, how and why a VC of her stature could stoop to so low and it speaks her credibility.
We are confident that the press will kindly come forward to enter deep in to the whole gamut of situation and expose the truth in the interest of the public as well as in the interest of the new born Central University of Orissa, Koraput.
Yours faithfully
K.C. Panigrahy
Secreatary
Sri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS Lr. No : 23/Jm/10
Collector & District Magistrate -cum- Dt : 27/01/2010
Working President, Sri Jagannath Mandir,
Sabara Srikhetra, KORAPUT -764020
Sub : Central University of Orissa, Koraput.
Dear Sir,
I am told that while Hon'ble VC addressing the students and teachers on January 23, 2010 at the University Campus has stated that the Temple authorities are claiming rupees fifteen lakhs for the inaugural ceremoney on August 29, 2009 (which is far from truth) and thus she has moved the State Government for payment. It seems it is her panic reaction in an attempt to divert the attention of the agitating students and public, though she is well aware of the facts which are otherwise.
2. In the interest of Koraput region, I would like to note that the matter of proper governance of the new born Central University of Orissa deserves your serious attention as you are the District Magistrate of Koraput. Your immediate intervention, though the CUO may be a Central government organisation, is seems essential. In the mean time certain facts of grave lapses might have come to your notice. Till now there is no minimum facilities like a text book library at least. The most sufferers are the 'Mass Communication & Journalism' students who have till now are not exposed to any gadgets which they are supposed to handle frequently to have the confidence. I am told that the Hon'ble VC had sermoned to the student on 23-01-2010 saying that the students wil be taken to different studios of our country on study tours. It seems it is to white wash the whole problem. The study tour can not serve the purpose of handling of the gadgets by the students. After laboratory practice, the study tour will yield the result. Any sane person can visualise the realties. Procurement of text books for the library and having a communication studio is not of most difficult task. The authorities could have used the Gyan Mandir (e-library-cum-studio) of Sri Jagannath Mandir with little addition and alteration for the Mass Communication & Journalism students. as well as other facility students. The above arrangements will cost much less than the so-called study tours. It seems the Hon'ble VC has never applied her wisdom to solve the problem. This could have also been managed even staying at Kolkota. In fact, earlier she had written a letter to our president to allow to use the 'Gyan Mandir'. It seems, after the sucess of the inaugural ceremony when she got bha-bha from HRD Minister and our Chief Minister, she quietly forgot that a first batch of students are admitted at a new University.
3. I may also note that Sri Jagannath Mandir of Sabara Srikhetra is the pioneer to take the public load since 1995 for establishment of an university in Koraput region which is a backward scheduled Area. After much endeavour and untiring efforts for one and half decades the Government have been pleased to open a Central University at Koraput in 2009 by the grace of god. Fortunately since 1995 all the Hon'ble MPs and MLA's, of Koraput region (four districts) irrespective of their politial affilation, Co-operated activety in our endeavour which is rare in any other part of our country. As we are striveing since 1995, therefore voluntereed to cooperate with the 'Central University of Orissa' team from the day one in providing of temporary accomodation in the premises of our sister organisation (COATS) remodeling the campus as desigred by VC for opening an University and make all arrangements for the inaugural ceremoney, lest the project might be hijacked as a proposal was being hatched to have the university campus at Bhubaneswar. Hon'ble VC was also very much interested to stay at Bhubaneswar or in worst at the near by Dhenkanal or Anugul and she had submited such a proposal to the authorities. Against this background I now bring to your kind notice the main issues so that you may be able to appreciate the whole gamut of the problems.
4. On personal request by the Hon'ble VC and the advice of the Collector, we have taken up, the following works for the C.U.O to start functioning.
(I) Remodeling of the COATS campus to make it suitable for running a University.
(II) Arrangements for the inaugural ceremoney at 'Nisani Munda'.
5. Both are separate works and items. Hon'ble VC had personally requested to remodel the COATS campus, engageing sufficient extra workers to make the COATS campus as early as possible suitable for opening the University prior to the visit of the Central team headed by the Joint Secretary (HRD), Government of India. She had specifically told me in the presence of the Collector and other officers of CUO that the expenditure made for remodeling of the COATS campus and white washing/painting of the proposed hostel buildings will also be met from the CUO fund. Officers on Special Duty of the CUO has also given in writing that the expenditure will be re-embursed from the University fund. The District Administration had under taken the remodeling, white washing etc, tasks of the two Hostel Buildings and it seems the CUO has not yet taken care to re-emburs the cost involved to the District Administration also.
6. For the arrangements in a rainy season at the Nisani Munda (inaugural ceremoney venue) we could be able to complete at a cost of Rs. 4,03,152.00 (Rupees four lakhs three thousand one hundred fifty only) which includes construction of temporary road and drain from the main road to the venue stage which was quite essential. You are well aware of the hardship we faced to execute the work both day and night during heavy rains when you happened to be the Sub-Collector and you are an eye witness to it.
7. We place bellow the detail headwise expenditure made by the temple which we had already supplied alongwith xerox copies of the cash book, all the vouchers and the extracts of MB to the university authority. What else the CUO authorities need for settlement ? The tragic irony is that there is no bonafide officer either at Bhubaneswar or at Koraput and Hon'ble VC seems busy with the so-called CUO development projects. Unfortunately now the Hon'ble VC is stating blatant lie before the students and teaches meet on 23-01-2010. Is It the wisdom of a VC ?
Details of the expenditure made for theremodeling the proposed University Campus and the inaugural ceremony of the Central University of Orissa, Koraput by Sri Jagannath Mandir, Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput
Item No. I
1) Remodeling / Renovation works including roof repairing,
Replacing of old GCI sheet wherever necessary,
maxphalting the roof, Laying of Concrete roads,
Landscaping and fencing, painting & colour
working, decoration with Jhoti etc. 9,22,645.00
2) Electrification to the structures and premises 35,532.00
Total - I Rs : 9,58,177.00
Item No. II
3) Landscaping the inaugural meeting venue with
laying of temporary roods, drains etc and erection
of stage 1,47,540.00
4) Erection of Temporary pendal with 4000 capacity
sitting arrangements, decorating with cloth etc. 2,07,145.00
5) Erection of Flex Boards for the Hostels, venue,
campus etc. with the MS Angle frames. 26,971.00
6) Arrangements of Mike, Electrification, Generator etc.
at inaugural venue 10,300.00
7) Procurement of flowers etc. to decorate the meeting
stage and the plaque etc. 8,316.00
8) Postage and other expenses for the distribution
of the invitation letter and subsequently the invitation
cards to the dignitories of the undivided Koraput plus B.F Total - I Rs : 9,58,177.00
other KBK area. 2,880.00 Total -I I Rs :4,03,152.00
Total-II Rs : 4,03,152.00 Grand Total Rs : 13,61,329.00
(Rupees thirteen lakhs sixtyone thousand and three hundred twentynine only)
Please Note : Earlier the bill was submitted for Rs.13,56,235/- as an item was later paid.
8. The total is not fifteen lakhs but the expenditures for the inaugural ceremony is only 4,03,152/- In spite of our repeated requests and clarifications the claim has not been settled as yet.
9. Till the end of the inaugural ceremoney of the Central University, Sri Jagannath Mandir of Sabara Srikhetra arranged everything from A to Z including the distribution of invitation letter first and subsequently the invitation cards to all the dignitories of KBK region as well as of Orissa State.
10. You may be astonished to know that the VC is said to have spent rupees Rs.55,00,000/- (Rupees fiftyfive lakhs only) towards advertisements charges only for the inaugural ceremoney in the news papers mainly of Kolkata and Delhi editions awarding a contract to one M/S Alakananda Publications vide CUO file No.1024/CUO/09. There are many more such instance of exhorbetant expenditure incured.
11. I am not sure whether the above expenditure made by Hon'ble VC was in the interest of the Central University of Orissa, Koraput and public. Moreover, it seems the expenditures made by the Hon'ble VC are not as per the Government Order No.G.23011/22/2009 - IF.I, Government of India, Ministry of Human Resources Development of Higher Education read with the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M. issued in F.No.66 (16)/PF-11/2009 dated 24th July 2009 and No.7 (I). E. Coord / 2009 dated 7th September, 2009 which inter alia stipulated urgent need for rationalization of expenditure and optimization of available resources in order to ensure adequate resources for meeting the development needs. (All the words are from the referred G.O.).
12. In spite of allotment of six quarters by the State Government, the Hon'ble VC is staying at Hotel Mayfair, Bhubaneswar paying Rs.6,000/- daily rent. Further on the plea of holding a seminar, all the students and teachers were shifted from 'Koraput' to 'Bhubaneswar' bearing entire expenditure of their TA, DA and lodging at Bhubaneswar out of the University fund seems to be the repitation of 'Dilli se Daulatabad' syndrome and may need immediate treatment. Another so-called two seminar/workshops of 'English language' and 'Tribal problem' are also seems to be dramas. The Hon'ble VC may have to clarify her actions when the questions arise. Now she is talking about study tour to studios of our Country. At what cost ? For whose benifit ? Certainly not of the students.
13. In the face of the categorical commitment of the OSD made in his letter No.CUO/1013/2009 dated 1.8.2009 addressed to the Collector and District Magistrate, Koraput (copy enclosed) that the actual expenditure for the inaugural ceremony would be reimbursed from the accounts of the central University of Orissa. Now the plea taken by the Hon'ble VC that she moved the State Government for payment is quite absured as there was no such request to us from the state Government to make such arrangements solely for the function of the university. It seems the Central University authorities are bent upon playing the game of hide and seek which has to be stopped. Of course, the CUO authorities cannot go back from their commitments which tentamounts to clear breach of trust.
14. Under the circumstances, I appeal to your goodself to take up the matter with the Hon'ble VC and ensure prompt reimbursement of the total expenditure of Rs. 13,61,329.00 incurred by the temple in good faith and in public interest to comply with the request made by the Hon'ble VC seeking our co-operation.
Yours faithfully,
K.C. Panigrahy
Secretary
Copy forwarded to the Hon'ble VC Prof. Surabhi Banerjee to her three addresses :(i) Main Office at Koraput, (ii) Camp Office at Bhubaneswar and (iii) The real office (Res.) at Kolkata, for her kind information. She is again requested to be kind enough to keep her words and settle the dues immediately. She may also kindly note that the Mandir is not a private contractor and it is an autonomous legal body where four collectors of Koraput region are its ex-officio office bearers and Superintendent of Police, Koraput is also the ex-officio Vice President. The CUO authorities shall not treat the letters, documents submitted by the Mandir authorities are from an irresponsible body or a person.
(b) Further, Hon'ble VC may kindly favour the Public of Koraput region in shifting her actual Headquarter from Kolkata to Koraput at her earliest convenience and may visit her camp office at Bhubaneswar and Delhi from Koraput. It is in the interest of the infant University and she may kindly consider to stay at Koraput at least for a period of fifteen days in a month.
(c) Further more, the Hon'ble VC may kindly consider to either appoint or bring on deputation a qualified and able Registrar and a suitable Finance Controller. The so-called two or three OSDs are not in the interest of the new-born University. Ofcourse, These OSDs can be controlled with a remote.
(d) She may also kindly consider to start a library at least with the text books and other sundry units relating to an university immediately as she is not yet able to appreciate, the plights of first batch students.
(e) She may also kindly consider either to appoint or bring on deputation senior professionals as faculty members instead of temporary juniors on whom Hon'ble VC's remote controlled Sword is always hanging, for which the juniors are not in a position to express their wisdom.
(f) Any sensible person will definitely appreciate that these demands of minimum essential arrangements are in the interest of the University and students. So-called sermons of the Hon'ble VC (as I am told) on January 23, 2010 to the students teacher meet at Koraput campus that "the VC is at liberty to stay at any place of the country and shall not be expected to sit at Koraput" seems not at all good for the health of the new born baby university. Perhaps due to student agitation earlier (Generally the studentss of M.A Classes do not dare to agitate) the Hon'ble VC has to state as above to boost her capacity.
(g) Hope, the above submissions before the Hon'ble VC will kindly be appreciated as she is an academician. As the Hon'ble VC had made the issue public first in the students,teachers meet, I am circulating this to the concerned public and authories to clear the confusion created.
K.C. Panigrahy
Secretary
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