No clarity on funds for new institutes

No clarity on funds for new institutes
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Highlights

No Clarity on Funds for New Institutes, New Institutes of Higher Learning, Bifurcation of the State. Even as a there has been much ado about the new institutes of higher learning being offered for Seemandhra region in the event of bifurcation of the state.

  • Seemandhra yet to hear more on proposed colleges

Even as a there has been much ado about the new institutes of higher learning being offered for Seemandhra region in the event of bifurcation of the state, clarity still eludes on the arrangement of funds for them. It is widely reported that one IIT, one IIM, three central universities, one IIIT and one more CFTI will be granted for Seemandhra region after bifurcation. The MHRD was learnt to have proposed this list of institutions with an estimated budget of Rs 8145 crores to the Group of Ministers (GoM) formed to study and make recommendations on the issues of vital importance in the aftermath of division. ‘It would be considered when the final recommendations are made’ according to a note by Union Home Ministry.

But going by the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) proposals, there is virtually no provision for allocation of funds for any new IIT or IIM. The allocation of funds sector-wise was already mentioned and the MHRD has clear road map for the expenditure five years down the line. While the allocation for Education sector in 11th Plan was 1,77, 538 crores which is 11.17 of the total share, it has been enhanced to 4, 53, 728 crores in 12th Plan, an increase of 155.57 percent. Any new arrangement shall be given on additional financial support and going by the present fiscal scenario, no such possibility is there, according to experts. How would the Government of India carry forward the setting up of new institutes is now the moot question.

Even the diversion of funds earmarked under RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchtar Siksha Abhiyan), with an ambitious plan of 98,000 crores-approved recently- will not be possible since RUSA is specifically meant for strengthening of existing state universities, colleges and those institutions which need financial support.

“It appears a huge package but how the government would adjust the funds is to be seen. The Government of India could not release funds mentioned in regular budgets on time. The funds for RMSA was sliced due to several other commitments. In this scenario, it would be difficult to say how many years it would take for the setting up of new institutions as mentioned in media reports” a top official of Secondary Education told The Hans India.

“To say the fact, the institutions in Hyderabad are the best in terms of infrastructure, faculty and in terms of placements. Take for example University of Hyderabad, IIIT, NIFT, BITS, JNTUH, Osmania, EFLU along with institutes like NALSAR, ANGRAU, OMC, Gandhi Medical College and a host of other private institutes of higher learning. How many years will it take to build such institutes of excellence? Even if you pump money, it would be difficult to have such excellent institutions in short span. So, I feel that the education sector shall be a level playing field for all” Prof A Srinivasa Rao of GITAM varsity felt.

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