Hyderabad: The Centre is yet to give financial approval for funding and operationalising the Tribal University proposed to be established in Telangana.
The union government sanctioned the university, after repeated requests from the State government to honour the assurances given under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
In response to a question raised by Congress MP A Revanth Reddy in the Lok Sabha on Monday, union Minister of State for Education, Subhas Sarkar, informed that the Site Selection Committee finalised the site in Mulugu. A detailed project report (DPR) has been prepared and the inter-ministerial consultations also have been completed. “The proposal has been submitted for the financial approval of union Ministry of Finance,” he said.
Hyderabad Newsclick here for more Hyderabad NewsThe union Minister said that the funds from the University Grants Commission too will be allocated only after the institution is operationalised. He evaded any direct answer on the status of the DPR (whether approved or not) or the proposed timeline for its establishment.
Meanwhile, the DPR has been shuttling between the Ministries of Education, Finance and NITI Aayog and the University of Hyderabad (UoH) which led to delay in the establishment of the Tribal University. However, the proposal is now in the final stage and will have to receive the union Cabinet’s approval, after getting clearance from the union Finance Ministry. It is proposed to be established with an estimated Rs 865 crore.
The State government acquired 335 acres of land in Mulugu in 2018 and handed it over to the Project Officer of ITDA Eturunagaram for the varsity. The land comprises 169 acres of government land, 115 acres of assigned land (resumed by the State government on payment of compensation of Rs 15 crore), and another 50 acres of forest land which will be used as green spaces.
Though the officials concerned identified a youth training centre and post-matric hostels for running classes and sought Rs 3 crore for the purchase necessary furniture and equipment, the funds are yet to be released.
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