The ruling BJD on Monday took out a public rally from Balibandha under the leadership of Rairakhol MlA and Sambalpur district president Rohit Pujari and Sambalpur MlA Raseswari Panigrahi to garner support for setting up of the proposed IIM in the district.
“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik replied to HRD Ministry’s letter on March 2 recommending Sambalpur as the preferred location to set up IIM under Centre’s relaxed norms. But why it is sitting on the decision when it is declared that Odisha is getting the premier B-schoolIJ” asked Pujari.
Addressing the gathering, Sambalpur MlA Raseswari Panigrahi blasted the Centre for delaying its announcement on the location for establishing the premier institution.
“It’s already two months now and the Centre has not yet sent a team for site verification. When the State has recommended Sambalpur as the location, where is the issue thenIJ” asked Panigrahi. She stated that the agitation will continue until a declaration comes from Centre in this regard, he asserted.
Extending its support, members of ‘People’s Forum for IIM in Sambalpur’ also joined the rally which witnessed participation from all civil society groups of the city.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Suresh Pujari said the ball is still in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s court.
“let the State Government first withdraw its earlier recommendation favouring the institute in Bhubaneswar,” said Pujari. The leaders also sent 5,000 post cards to the President requesting him to intervene in the matter.