University dons blast govt stand

NAGPUR: The state government’s desperate attempt to avoid giving back Nagpur University’s 70-acre land in spite of high court orders has evoked sharp reaction from university dons. The academics accused local politicians and ministers of playing a “dirty game” to garner votes and pulled up the university admisnistration for its laxity in the matter.

Changing its earlier stand that it was ready to give back the land it had acquired for a sports complex to the university, the goverment told the high court on Monday that university had paid Rs 1.11 lakh for 17.92 acre tract at Khasra No 11 at Mouza Pandhrabodi while the rest of the land was “allotted” to it by the government.

Terming this as the failure of university administration led by vice-chancellor SN Pathan, Senate member Mahendra Nimbarte called for immediate action. “This is grave injustice to the lakhs of students in Vidarbha. At least, now the vice-chancellor should stop begging before the selfish politicians of Nagpur and Mumbai who don’t want to see development of this region. It is a shame that we are begging with the ministers for our own land and spending public money in travelling to Mumbai for this purpose,” he lamented.

Senior member Dr Ved Prakash Mishra said the government was shying away from its duties to provide infrastructure to the university. “Which big university formed by the government has purchased land? The government is abdicating its responsibilities by giving such statements. If the universities must purchase land, what will be the contribution of the government,” he asked.

Another member Nirmal Singh blasted the government for the “irresponsible” stand. He said it was time the university filed a separate petition in the high court for getting back its land.

“We are demanding public land for public’s cause. Moreover, why are we begging for our own land? When the government failed to use it for its original purpose, we should get it back. The local politicians who were eyeing this land had pressured government to hold on to it. These local ministers and politicians want to deprive Vidarbha’s population from getting good education,” he added.

Senate member advocate Mohan Bajpayee charged the government with playing vote-bank politics. He also blamed the university administration for its failure in getting back the land. “We will be tabling calling attention motion on the issue in March 21 Senate meet,” he said.

VC Pathan refused to comment. Pro-VC G S Parasher said that university would verify the government’s claims and discuss the matter before taking any stand.