When the Odia language Chair in the Utkal University has been closed since 1997, the State Government’s nod to establish such Chairs in JNU, Delhi University and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where Odia language and literature is not taught at all, has invited sharp criticism from BJP MlA Dilip Ray. To a question of Ray in the Assembly on Thursday, Higher Education Minister Dr Pradip Kumar Panigrahy replied that the State Government would spend Rs 44 lakh per annum for an Odia language Chair in the JNU.
Panigrahi said State Government is also in touch with the Registrars of Delhi University and BHU for establishment of similar Chairs and has sought reports from them for the manpower and infrastructural requirements. Panigrahi said in Odisha while the Satyabadi Chair in the Department of Odia language and literature of the Utkal University has been discontinued since 1997, a proposal to establish such Chair in the Fakir Mohan University is under the consideration of the Government.
Ray, however, decried that when the Odia language has been accorded with classical status, the State Government has yet to write all official correspondences in Odia. Besides, he demanded that Odia langauge Chair should be set up in the Berhmapur University, Sambalpur University, North Odisha University, Khallikote University, Fakir Mohan University, Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University, RD Women’s University and GM University. Besides, he demanded that such a Chair needs to be set up in the Biswabharati University, Shantiniketan, where qualitative teaching and research are available on Odia language and literature. Ray called upon the Government to fill all the vacancies of teachers from primary school to university level in Odisha.