The Union Government is contemplating to set up the proposed Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Odisha in Sambalpur for which a Central team would visit recommended sites, Goshala and Niladunguri soon.
The Human Resources Development Minister has revealed this while responding to an RTI query in this regard. The Ministry has already rejected the proposal of the Central team, which had visited some sites in the State earlier, to set up Indian Institute of Management (IIM) on the outskirts of the capital city.
Hemant Panda, an RTI activist of Balangir district’s Tikarpada, had sought information in this regard. The Ministry in its reply on April 1 has said HRD Minister Smriti Irani has not accepted the Central team’s report which had suggested that Bhubaneswar would be suitable place for the premier institute.
It may be noted that the State Government had recommended Sambalpur for the proposed institute earlier in March this year, subject to relaxation in Central guideline.
Sources said admissions into the IIM Odisha would start from this academic year and classes would be held at the IIT Bhubaneswar.
The RTI reply also revealed that the IIM Indore would be the mentor of IIM Odisha instead of IIM Kolkata. The decision to set up the proposed IIM in Sambalpur seems final, Panda said.
He said the Centre has decided to establish an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Srimore in Himachal Pradesh where there is no airport, a requisite for establishment of the premier management institute.