AICTE revising scheme for PPP polytechnics

The AICTE has set up a committee to revise the scheme for setting up polytechnics in the public private partnership (PPP) mode, Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor said Wednesday.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Tharoor said the government had approved a scheme to provide financial assistance to set up 300 polytechnics in the PPP mode during the 11th Five Year Plan period (2012-17).

"However, the response of the private partners to the scheme is poor," Tharoor said.

"The AICTE (The All India Council for Technical Education) estimated the total cost to be Rs.15 crore per polytechnic, excluding land. The scheme provides for Rs.3 crore central government fund towards capital assets, Rs.2 crore by the state government and a minimum of Rs.10 crore by the private partner," he said.

"The land is to be provided by the private partner; alternatively, the state government will provide land. The admissions are to be made under the aegis of state government based on the procedures being followed in the state. Appointments will be made by the Institute Management Committee," he said.