Three MlAs gear up for mass movement, meet PM
Of late, the denizens of Jharsuguda have demanded establishment of IIM in their district. Political parties across the spectrum, intellectuals, two MlAs of the district and one from neighbouring Sundargarh have joined the chorus for the covetous institution.
In an important meeting held at Jharsuguda, MlAs Naba Das (Congress) and Radharani Panda (BJP) were in one platform to demand the IIM. The MlA of neighbouring Sundargarh constituency Jogesh Singh also joined them.
“Jharsuguda deserves the most for IIM as it is a hub of industrial activities of the State now. At the same time, it has got the oldest engineering school of the State including a number of degree colleges, both engineering and general. Further, the State’s second major airport is here to cater to the need of IIM if set up in Jharsuguda,” the MlAs said at a meeting organised by ‘Forum for IIM’ in Jharsuguda.
Shiv Prasad Murarka and Dillip Kumar Sakunia were its conveners. Besides Das, Panda and Singh said that infrastructure required for IIM was only available at Jharsuguda.
The participants also agreed to establish the institution at a place close to Sundargarh-Jharsuguda border so that both the districts would not have any conflict. They further said that due to lack of foresight of former leaders, Jharsuguda was still continuing under East Coast Railway even if Sambalpur railway division was just 50 km away.
“Jharsuguda contributes a lot to the State and Central exchequers. Yet, it is neglected,” Das and Panda lamented, suggesting that a delegation from the district should meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union HR Minister Smriti Irani to justify the demand for the IIM and the merit of Jharsuguda for the top B-School. Panda also suggested forming a core committee for the purpose and make it as a public movement involving people from all walks of life. “Since Jharsuguda has no central institute, it is a genuine demand of the people here,” she said and appealed other parts of the State to support Jharsuguda.