Members of People’s Forum for Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Sambalpur have decided to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani over the State Government’s proposal to establish the proposed top B-school in Sambalpur.
Earlier, the State Government had recommended setting up the proposed IIM in Sambalpur city subject to relaxation in the Central guideline. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in a letter to Irani, had said that the Centre had asked State Government for its opinion in setting up the IIM in Western Odisha, particularly in Sambalpur region. The HRD Ministry asked the State Government to identify a location close to an airport. Hence, the State Government had restricted its choice to sites in and around Bhubaneswar. “However, if the Centre is willing to relax this guideline for site selection, the Odisha Government would strongly recommend Sambalpur as the location of the IIM,” Naveen wrote in his letter.
Speaking to mediapersons on Saturday, convener of the organisation, Sapan Mishra said they have sought an audience with the Prime Minister and Union HRD Minister in the last week of this month over the issue. He said a clear picture on IIM location in Odisha is yet to emerge.
“The Union HRD Minister has agreed to set up the IIM at Sambalpur provided the Odisha Government submits a formal proposal,” Mishra said, adding that they will inquire about the delay over the issue from the Union Minister.
Former vice-chancellor of Berhampur University, Aditya Padhi said the Chief Minister had himself said at the meeting of National Development Council recently that national institutes should be set up in backward areas of the State.
