It was March 4, 2015, when Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had declared the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar’s second campus at Rourkela. It had created hope and enthusiasm among the residents who were disheartened over the IIM issue.
Rourkela fulfilling all criteria was a strong contender for the IIM, but at the last moments, the State Government had decided to establish the IIM at Sambalpur owing to a strong lobby.
However, looking at the dismay spreading in Rourkela over the IIM, the CM had assured establishment of the XIMB branch at Rourkela. But till date the assurance of the CM has not translated into action.
The agitation for IIM at Sambalpur put the Union HRD Minister under pressure to write a letter to the Chief Minister, Odisha for his suggestion on establishing the IIM in western Odisha and especially in Sambalpur. The Chief Minster in response had recommended Sambalpur as the Centre was prepared to relax the criteria.
Even though that time the opposition party leaders including BJP and Congress here were not against IIM in Sambalpur, they very cunningly were targeting Patnaik, saying that they would have been happier if Rourkela was recommended for the IIM. While the BJD was at a back foot in Rourkela, the Chief Minister suddenly declared of the second campus of premier management institute, Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) at Rourkela.
While the BJD said the Chief Minister’s recommending Sambalpur for the Odisha IIM and declaring the XIMB campus for Rourkela is a double bonanza for western Odisha, the Opposition blamed that to cover up the apathy against Rourkela, the CM had made a false declaration.
However, the sudden declaration for a second XIMB campus at Rourkela by Patnaik saved the BJD here at that time. While simply welcoming the steps, the opposition parties preferred to keep themselves away from making further comments. Political slugfest over management institution apart, the XIMB decision was widely hailed by the intellectuals and students at that time.
But since then there has been no new development on the project. As a result, the BJD under fire of the opposition parties again. It is alleged that the XIMB campus declaration was a political game plan of Patnaik to divert attention of the people from the IIM setback.
Even when it was declared that the RSP will provide land with other supports, it was ascertained that the campus will be in Rourkela city itself. But neither from the RSP source, nor from the State Government is there any confirmation regarding this management school.
Interestingly, while the BJD is on back foot on the issue, the other major political parties like the BJP and the Congress keep mum on it now. Even the social and other organisations do not raise the issue to mount pressure on the Government. It may be noted here that not only Xavier campus but also many projects which carry importance for Rourkela are limited either to assurance or laying of foundation stone so far.