Times of India, May 9, 2016 Ashok Pradhan | TNN | May 9, 2016, 08.52 PM IST BHUBANESWAR: The Supreme Court on Monday threatened to issue non-bailable warrants (NBW) against management of the Sardar Rajas Medical College and Hospital at Jaring in Kalahandi district unless its deposits Rs two crore with the court by June 25.
A bench of justices Dipak Misra and Shiva Kirti Singh asked the Tamil Nadu-based Selvam Educational and Charitable Trust, which owns the college, to deposit bank guarantee of the amount within the deadline or face NBW, said Pratap Venugopal, counsel for some of the affected students who appeared in the court.
The apex court on April 19 had asked the trust to deposit the amount before the SC registry within two weeks. The court had observed prima facie there were reasons to feel the trust should compensate its students for pushing them to the realm of uncertainty from the sphere of certainty. However, the trust did not deposit it. Its counsel had filed an application for modification of the court order seeking to exempt the trust from making the deposit. The apex court did not modify its April 19 order. Citing poor infrastructure of the college and lack of enough faculty members, the SC and the Orissa high court had last year ordered relocation of all students of the college to other institutions. The 124 students of two batches (2013-14 and 2014-15) were shifted to three Bhubaneswar-based private medical colleges: Hi-Tech Medical College, Institute of Medical Sciences and Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences. The students have raised apprehension that they may lose an academic year in the transferred colleges. They have also alleged discrimination in the new institutions.
The college was established in a public private partnership mode as part of government move to remove regional disparity. The state government had given Rs 10 crore and 25 acre land to the TN trust after it signed an MoU with the Western Odisha Development Council for establishment of the college in 2004. It admitted students only for two years (2013-14 and 2014-15).
The ‘New Education Policy-2016’ proposed by the Higher Education Department of Odisha has not done correct assessment while selecting/proposing new affiliated universities across State. To be particular, it has neglected the KBK region.
The draft proposal should have considered quality of the colleges during selection procedure. Colleges having dubious record in the past for malpractice are given priority than college like Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna (GACB), which has always kept high standard of education practice.
This is well reflected from the fact that GACB was among the first 52 colleges in India to receive Potential Center of Excellence (PCE) by University Grant Commission (UGC), the first three colleges in Odisha to get PCE status by UGC and the first college in KBK region to get PCE recognition.
Among the first three PCE colleges of Odisha, other two colleges (GM College and Khallikote College) have already been made Unitary/Cluster Universities by the State Government.
Because of GACB’s good standard, the same Higher Education Department of Odisha had recommended in 2014-15 for upgrading GACB to a university under RUSHA scheme of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. Unfortunately, the GACB could not fulfill RUSHA requirements due to lack of sufficient number of lecturers and other infrastructure facilities for which State Government is largely responsible. Thus, present suggestion for affiliated universities by ignoring GACB contradicts earlier recommendation.
In addition, the proposal also contradicts recommendation made by earlier Higher Education Task Force headed by Prof Pradhan, which had recommended to upgrade GACB to an affiliated university for Kalahandi and Nuapda region in the name of South Western Odisha University. Recommendation of GACB to a university was even prior to conversion of GM College and Khallikote College to universities by the same Task Force.
In 2008, the Sambalpur University had also proposed a branch campus in Bhawanipatna and a UGC team had inspected the proposal, the fate of which is hanging.
The current education policy suggests affiliating universities in Jeypore, Balangir, Rourkela, Angul and Puri. That means the concentration of new universities will continue to be again within 100 km radius of Bhubaneswar.
Cuttack-Bhubaneswar-Khordha region has already multiple number of national and State institutions including IIT, NISER, IIIT, AIIMS, five State Government universities, three private universities etc, whereas Brahmapur has multiple numbers of State Government institutions and two State Universities. NIT at Rourkela and IIM in Sambalpur boost a number of national institutions in Sambalpur-Rourkela region. This region has three State Government universities. North Odisha has also two State universities, one in Baleswar and another in Baripada.
In comparison, the KBK region comprising 30 per cent of Odisha’s geography and 20 per cent of its population has only one Central University of Orissa (CUO) at Koraput. There is no State Government university for the affiliated colleges in the region due to political bias.
This region needs special consideration to have more national institutions and State universities, especially to develop as a higher education corridor.
(Dr Patra, who hails from Kalahandi, is a faculty member in the Chemistry Department of the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon)
The “New Education Policy-2016” proposed by Higher Education Department of Odisha has NOT done correct assessment while selecting/proposing new affiliated Universities across state because of the following reasons.
(1) The draft proposal should have considered quality of the colleges during selection procedure. Colleges having dubious record in the past for malpractice are given priority than college like Govt. Autonomous College Bhawanipatna (GACB), which has always kept high standard of education practice in this region. This is well reflected from the fact that GACB was among the: (i) first 52 colleges in India to receive Potential Center of Excellence (PCE) by University Grant Comission (UGC); (ii) first three colleges in Odisha to get PCE status by UGC; and (iii) the first college in KBK region to get PCE recognition by UGC
(2) Among the first three PCE colleges of Odisha, other two colleges (G M College and Khallikote college) in Odisha have already been made Unitary/Cluster Universities by state Govt.
(3) GACB is one of the most respected and prestigious colleges under Sambalpur University and in this region for quality education.
(4) Because of its good standard, the same higher education department of Odisha state Govt. had recommended in 2014-15 for upgrading GACB to a University under RUSHA scheme of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India. Unfortunately, GACB could not fulfill RUSHA requirements due to lack of sufficient number of lecturers and other infrastructure facilities for which state Govt. is largely responsible, thus, present suggestion for affiliated universities by ignoring GACB contradicts earlier recommendation of same higher education department of Odisha.
(5) In addition, this proposal also contradicts recommendation made by earlier Higher Education Task Force headed by Prof. Pradhan by your own Govt., which had recommended to upgrade GACB to an affiliated University for Kalahandi and Nuapda region in the name of South Western Odisha University. Recommendation of GACB to a University was even prior to conversion of G M College and Khallikote College to Universities by the same task force.
(6) In 2008 Sambalpur University had also proposed a branch campus in Bhawanipatna and a UGC team had inspected for this proposal, the fate of which is hanging.
(7) The current new education policy suggests affiliating Universities in Jeypore, Balangir, Rourkela, Angul and Puri. That means the concentration of new Universities will continue to be again within 100 km radius of Bhubaneswar, as one more affiliated Universities have been proposed in Puri (undivided Puri district will have two affiliated universities) and other one in nearby Angul. Rather the committee should have recommended Ravensha University to an affiliated University for undivided Cuttack district and kept Puri under Utkal University for undivided Puri dstrict only.
(8) Cuttack-Bhubaneswar-Khordha region has already multiple number of national and state institutions including IIT, NISER, IIIT, AIIMS, five state Govt. universities, three private universities etc. whereas Berhampur has multiple numbers of state Govt. institutions and 2 state Govt. Universities along with newly established IISER. NIT at Rourkela and IIM in Sambalpur boost number of national institutions in Sambalpur-Rourkela region. This region has 3 state Govt. Universities in Sambalpur and one state University in Rourkela. North Odisha has also two state Universities in Balasore and Baripada. In comparison, KBK region comprising 30 % of Odisha’s geography and 20 % of its population has only one Central University of Orissa (CUO) at Koraput. There is no state Govt. University for the affiliated colleges in the region due to political biases. It does not have 20 % or 30% of state Govt. universities as per the need of its population or geography. This region needs special consideration to have more national institutions and state Govt. universities, especially to develop as a higher education corridor. Otherwise all the arguments by higher education department using low GER and regional disparity is meaningless.
(9) Geographically, Bhawanipatna is centrally located in all KBK districts and unlike Balangir it is farthest place from Sambalpur University. In fact based on geographical and other considerations Sambalpur University had earlier proposed campuses in Bhawanipatna and Rourkela whereas Berhampur University has proposed a campus in Jeypore.
(10) If affiliated Universities can be made each for Puri-Nayagarh, Dhenkanal-Angul and Sundergarh-Deogarh, undivided Balasore district then why not for Kalahandi-Nuapada? Socially, politically, economically, regionally and infrastructure wise it will be good to make three affiliated Universities in KBK region one each at Jeypore, Bhawanipatna and Balangir, especially, when this region is well known for backwardness, low GER, poor regional distribution of higher educational institution and high concentration of tribal population.
All the above proves very well that Govt. Autonomous College Bhawaniptana is the most deserving college in KBK region under Sambalpur University based on its potential and quality education and all other past recommendations by various committees, Sambalpur University and UGC (University Grant Commission), therefore, it must be considered for a University in new education policy 2016.
Note: Thanks to initiative and support by Priya Abraham and support of Sandeep Sethi
The New Indian Express (Bhubaneswar), April 28, 2016
BHAWANIPATNA: Kalahandi is yet to find a place in the higher education map of Odisha as it does not have a single university despite assurances of the State Government.
In the absence of adequate number of colleges and a university, the gross enrolment ratio of the district continues to be low at 8.7 per cent. According to a report on the level of education achieved by Indians as of 2011, released by the office of the Census Commissioner and Registrar-General of India last year, in Kalahandi, only 4,789 youths have completed their BA/BSc/BCom degrees while their population is around 1.2 lakh.
In the Education Policy-2016 which is being framed by the Higher Education Department, Kalahandi finds no mention. Instead, the department has proposed to upgrade five autonomous colleges in Jeypore, Balangir, Rourkela, Angul and Puri to universities.
Although the Task Force on Higher Education in 2009 had recommended for upgradation of Government Autonomous College of Bhawanipatna to an affiliated university for Kalahandi and Nuapada region, it has been ignored by the department.
On the other hand, the State Government had last year recommended for upgrading the college into a university under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan of the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD). “Unfortunately, due to lack of adequate number of lecturers and infrastructure facilities, the proposal was turned down by the MHRD. The State Government is largely responsible for this as no attention has been paid towards faculty recruitment in the college,” said Akshay Kumar Nanda, a retired principal of the college.
Apparently, the Government Autonomous College of Bhawanipatna is the first college in KBK region to get ‘Potential for Centre of Excellence’ recognition by the UGC.
“KBK region comprises 20 per cent of Odisha’s population but has only one Central University at Koraput. There is no State Government-run university for the affiliated colleges of the region,” said Gopabandhu Behera, a retired professor of Sambalpur University who is also the president of Sikhya Vikas Parishad of Kalahandi.
In 2008, Sambalpur University had proposed to set up a branch campus in Bhawanipatna and a UGC team had studied the proposal. However, no decision has been taken yet.
Meanwhile, students of the college and members of its alumni association have sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to look into its upgradation as university. On Tuesday, they staged a demonstration outside the collectorate. Housing and Urban Development Minister Pushpendra Singh Deo and Digambar Patra, an associate professor of American University of Beirut who is also an alumni of the college, have written to the Chief Minister on the demand.
Note: Exam boycott by students and protest for University status for Govt. Autonomous College Bhawanipatna on April 19, 2016. Thanks toRipudamansourav Mishra for sharing the image and info.
Thanks and appreciation to Priya Abraham, Prof. Chitta Baral and Sandeep Sethi for their support.
Telegraph, April 19, 2016
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160419/jsp/odisha/story_80834.jsp#.VxW55uZ97UZ
The New Indian Express (Bhubaneswar), April 18, 2016
BHAWANIPATNA: Students of Bhawanipatna Government Autonomous College on Saturday blocked National Highway (NH) 26 at College Chowk here for five hours demanding university status to the college.
They said that recently the State Government had declared to upgrade Rajendra College in Balangir and Vikram Dev College in Jeypore to the status of universities. But Bhawanipatna Government Autonomous College has been overlooked, they added.
Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the district administration. The students threatened that their agitation will be intensified if the Government fails to fulfil their demand. However, the road blockade was withdrawn after the intervention of the Sub-Collector.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been urged to upgrade Government Autonomous College, Bhawaniptana, to an affiliated university for Kalahandi and Nuapada region.
Arguing that when the State Gvernment has decided to create affiliated universities for Puri-Nayagarh, Dhenkanal-Angul and Sundergarh-Deogarh (even for undivided Balesware alone), educationist and NRO Prof Digambara Patra said there is no reason why the same facility shoud not be extended to the Kalahandi-Nuapada region.
He suggested that socially, politically, economically, regionally and infrastructure wise it will be good to make three affiliated universities in KBK region one each at Jeypore, Bhawanipatna and Balangir, especially, when this region is well known for backwardness, low GER, poor regional distribution of higher educational institution and high concentration of tribal population.
Earlier Higher Education Task Force formed by the State Government had recommended to upgrade the Government Autonomous College, Bhawaniptana to an affiliated university for Kalahandi and Nuapada region. Indeed, the Government had also recommended in 2014-15 for upgrading of the Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna to a university under RUSHA scheme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. Unfortunately, due to lack of sufficient number of lecturers and other infrastructure facilities this could not be materialized, for which State Government is largely responsible, Patra said.
In 2008 the Sambalpur University had also proposed a branch campus in Bhawanipatna and a UGC team had inspected for the proposal, the fate of which is hanging. Incidentally, the Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna was among the first three colleges in Odisha to receive Potential Center of Excellence by UGC; other two colleges (GM College and Khallikote College) have already been made Unitary Universities whereas Government Autonomous College, Bhawaniptana is being continuously neglected. Demand for conversion of Government autonomous college Bhawanipana into a regular university has been long standing for a decade, Patra maintained.
Again the impoverished education condition of the KBK region has been brought to the attention of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Prof Digambara Patra, a local of Kalahandi district and a faculty in the American University of Beirut (AUB), Lebanon, in a letter to Patnaik, has sought conversion of the Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna, the Rajendra College, Balangir and the Bikram Dev College, Jeypore to affiliated universities.
Citing the need for boosting the education sector in the KBK region and how it has been discriminated against other parts of the State, Patra said though the region accounts for 30 per cent of the geography of the State and 20 per cent of the State’s population, yet there is only one university, the Central University of Orissa (CUO) at Koraput.
Cuttack-Bhubaneswar-Khordha region has already multiple numbers of national and State institutions including IIT, NISER, IIIT, AIIMS, five State Government universities, three private universities etc. whereas Brahmapur has a host of State Government institutions and two State Government universities along with newly established IISER. National Institute of Technology (NIT) at Rourkela and IIM in
Sambalpur will boost Sambalpur-Rourkela region. This region has three State Government universities in Sambalpur and one State university in Rourkela. North Odisha has also two State universities one each in Baleswar and Baripada. However, KBK is still deficient of the number of universities and institutes it deserves, he lamented.
He reminded of the fact that four years ago the higher education task force had recommended for upgrading Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna, Rajendra College Balangir and Bikram Dev College Jeypore to affiliated universities. He attributed the raw deal to political apathy to KBK region and urged the Chief Minister for appropriate steps in this regard.
Press Trust of India, Nov 4, 2015 Cuttack, Nov 4 (PTI) The Orissa High Court has ordered the Union government to amicably settle the issue of medicos of Sardar Rajas Medical College and Hospital by discussing it with the state government and Medical Council of India by November 9 and file an affidavit in this regard
Since the Odisha government has decided to shut down the Kalahandi-based teaching hospital, confusion prevails over the future of the present 124 medicos of the college.
The High Court had earlier ordered the state government to split the medicos among three private medical colleges in the state for completion of their courses.
On October 8, the state government had submitted a proposal to the MCI to relocate the students in three private medical colleges at Bhubaneswar.
The MCI, however, wanted to relocate those admitted in management quota to private colleges and others admitted under government quota to government colleges and accordingly submitted an affidavit in Orissa High Court stating that the Centre also endorses the proposal.
A division bench of justices Indrajit Mahanti and Dr D P Choudhury passed the order yesterday after the MCI filed its affidavit.
Kalahandi: A four-member team of the Medical Council of India (MCI) on Monday inspected the Sardar Rajas Medical College in Kalahandi district and took stock of its infrastructure, faculty members and financial status.
Notably, the MCI had withdrawn its recognition and affiliation to the college on ground of poor infrastructure and inadequate faculty strength earlier this year. Recently, the Odisha High Court had directed the State government to accommodate 124 students of the college in other medical colleges of the State.
