With the selection of site for the proposed Indian Institute of Management (IIM) still shrouded in uncertainty, the ministry of human resource development (HRD) has sought information relating to suitability of Sambalpur as the site for the premier institute.
The ministry's queries have centred on available infrastructure in the proposed location, presence of major business centres, mega industries operating in the vicinity of the site, economic activities in and around Sambalpur and potential employment opportunities for the spouses of IIM employees.
"The ministry has asked for information on some key points. Our department secretary will make a detailed presentation on these aspects before the ministry on June 5. The sites for permanent and makeshift campuses will also be discussed," said Sanjay Dasburma, minister for employment and technical education & training.
The state government had selected two sites at Dhankouda and Jujumura blocks of Sambalpur district for the proposed IIM. It had urged the HRD ministry to despatch a team to zero in on the location for the management institute.
Previously, the ministry had clarified that unless the site for IIM is finalised, admission cannot commence for 2015-16 session.
The site selection for IIM in the state has suffered due to flip-flops by the Centre. Earlier, the HRD ministry had asked the state government to identify a site close to the airport in accordance with its guidelines.
Accordingly, the state government had chosen two sites on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. The site selection committee of the HRD ministry in January this year, had also visited the two sites and recommended its findings.
Later, HRD minister Smriti Irani wrote to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik seeking opinion for establishment of the IIM in western Odisha. In reply, Patnaik said his government would strongly recommend Sambalpur as the site for IIM if the Centre was ready to relax its guidelines.
