The demand for setting up of the proposed Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Odisha at Rourkela gained further momentum with several organisations, volunteer groups and political parties holding rallies here on Thursday following the Union HRD Secretary’s letter to the State Chief Secretary for suggesting three suitable places for consideration for establishment of the proposed high profile national-level institution.
Though so far Sundargarh MP and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram has not opened his mouth on this issue, Rourkela BJP MlA Dilip Ray has written letters to the Prime Minister of India, Union HRD Minister and State Chief Minister advocating for Rourkela as the IIM location.
Ray, recalling Narendra Modi’s huge election meeting on April 5 at Rourkela, has mentioned in his letter to the PM that he might have not forgotten the love and affection of Rourkelites for him. Rourkela people voted for the BJP candidate in the Rourkela Assembly seat and also gave a wide margin to Sundargarh MP Candidate Jual Oram. So, it is but natural for Rourkelites to expect something more from the Union Government. The PM should personally take care for IIM location at Rourkela.
The Sachetan Nagarik Manch (SNM) staged a demonstration in front of the Rourkela ADM office which was attended by representatives of various political parties, trade unions and social, cultural and student organisations in support of the demand.
Congress leader Nihar Ray said industrial city Rourkela meets all the criteria for the IIM. Earlier on many occasions, Rourkela was deprived of its genuine rights including ESIC Medical College and a separate railway division. “This time at any cost, we have to achieve our right,” added Ray.
BJP leader Khagendra Pradhan said his party’s local committee has already taken up the issue with Jual Oram and other national leaders. On Friday too, the issue was discussed with two visiting Union Ministers, including Oram. But the matter is that the State Government should recommend Rourkela’s case. So, there must be a pressure on the State Government, he said.
SNM working president AP Biswal said Bhubaneswar is already overcrowded with a galaxy of national institutions. Rourkela is the deserving place as the city has a big public sector industry and an NIT. Among others who addressed to the dharna were Pradosh Mohanty (AITUC), Jajati Keshari Sahoo (DYFI), Dandapani Nayak (CPI), Girish Mohaptra, senior advocate Dr Bhabagrahi Mohaptra (SNM president), PP Ray (SNM general secretary), Batakrushna Panda, Ramesh Ch Bal (president, Rourkela Bar Association), Mahendra Mishra, Satyapriya Mohanty (SUCI), Jagabandhu Jena, Arindam Dutta (CITU) and Akshay Jena (Rourkela Shramik Sangh).
A memorandum was submitted by the SNM to Chief Minister through the ADM. The memorandum said the SNM has already represented the matter to the Union HRD Ministry, but the issue has been left to the Government of Odisha to select the IIM location and provided 200 acres of land for it. It has been decided that students would take admission in the IIM from this session. So, it is highly necessary to declare the IIM location so that students can take a decision.
The memorandum further said the IIM admits two categories of students. One is a two-year fulltime course for regular students and the other a three-year part-time course for jobholders, especially technocrats, executives, etc. There are nearly 10,000 engineers in and around Rourkela who can avail the part-time course. And immediately the classes can be started in the NIT or the BPUT building.
On August 26, a demonstration was organised by the Rourkela Jagaran Manch (RJM) before the ADM office. A memorandum for the Prime Minister through the ADM was submitted stating that awarding the IIM to Rourkela city would balance development between western Odisha and the rest of the State. Rourkela is the State’s third largest city after Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
If Rourkela is deprived of its right, the RJM would organise various agitational activities like economic blockade and bandh, said its leaders Rinku Samal and Afroz Ahammed.