*Old University finalized for temporary campus
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 11: In a major set-back to the plans of the PDP-BJP Coalition Government, the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has refused to start Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jammu from the current academic year because of failure of the State to meet the conditions laid down in this regard. Even start of classes from next year would depend upon the finalization of land for the permanent campus of the prestigious institute.
The decision has been conveyed by the HRD Ministry to the Jammu and Kashmir’s Higher Education Department on the basis of report received from the three-member Central team, which visited the new sites identified by the State Government for establishment of permanent campus of the IIT Jammu on June 2.
The team comprising Joint Secretary in Technical Education Department, HRD Ministry, Director IIT Delhi and a Technical Expert from the Delhi University visited all the three new sites identified by the J&K Government but didn’t find any of them suitable from all aspects for the establishment of permanent campus of the institute, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
Though one site was apparently little bit appropriate, no decision could be taken because of hilly and ravine areas and accordingly the State authorities were asked by the visiting team to give an undertaking that required quantum of land would be easily available in that particular area that too without the issues, which may create hurdles at the later stage in the development of the campus, sources informed.
“Now, the concerned revenue authorities have been directed by the higher authorities to ascertain whether the land required for the IIT Jammu’s permanent campus would be available in this particular area”, sources said, adding “in case required land would not be available then the State Government would have to again re-start the process of identifying more sites to be shown to the Central team”.
However, the Central team preferred Old University campus over the campus of Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET) at Chak Bhalwal for establishment of temporary campus of the IIT Jammu and directed the State authorities to hand over the same as early as possible so that HRD Ministry starts process for creation of necessary infrastructure, sources further informed.
In response to a question, sources said, “even handing over of Old University campus to HRD Ministry would not be that easy because several utilities are required to be shifted from there and the same would take time”.
Keeping in view all these aspects, the HRD Ministry, on the basis of report received from the Central team, has conveyed to the State Government explicitly that it would not start IIT Jammu from the current year, sources disclosed, adding it has further reiterated that start of classes from next year would depend upon finalization of site for permanent campus.
Due to this, the plans of the PDP-BJP Coalition Government have received set-back as the Government had on April 24, 2015 announced that IIT Jammu will start functioning from this year. “Resolving of land issue for establishment of permanent campus is not that easy as making available cumbersome free huge land is a daunting task at the initial stage and then obtaining clearance from various quarters would keep the concerned authorities on their toes”, sources said.
When contacted, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Sarita Chauhan said, “we are on the job of making available cumbersome free land and as and when this exercise is completed, a formal information would be conveyed to the HRD Ministry”. She confirmed that HRD Ministry has taken decision not to start classes from the current year, adding “right from the very beginning, they had made it clear that till selection of site for permanent campus, they would not think of starting classes”.
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