IIM location twist: CM now urges Centre for Sambalpur

 Minister (HRD) Smriti Zubin Irani said, "If the Central Government is willing to relax the guidelines for site selection, the State Government strongly recommends Sambalpur in western Odisha as the location of the IIM, Odisha."

Patnaik's letter to Irani was in response to a recent letter from the HRD Ministry where it sought opinion of the State Government for setting up of the IIM in western Odisha, particularly in Sambalpur region, as has received a number of representations in this regard.

While recommending the sites for the IIM, the HRD Ministry, as per its guideline, had asked the State Government to identify the location which should be close to an airport. As a result, the State Government had restricted its choice to places in and around Bhubaneswar. Meanwhile, Forum for IIM in Brahmapur called an emergency meeting and decried the State Government's recommendation.

The leaders demanded that the IIM be established in the Brahmapur area as it has no Central institute. Though Rourkela MlA Dilip Roy expressed happiness over the development said since Rourkela will have a full-fledged airport shortly, it might be a better choice.