Govt initiates land identification process for IIM-Odisha

The Idco has asked the district collectors for identification of required 200 acres for the management institute

While people from different parts of Odisha are raising demands for location of the proposed IIM (Indian Institute of Management) in the state in their respective area, the state government has started the process of land identification for establishment of the premier institute.

The Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco), the nodal land acquisition agency, has asked the district collectors for identification of required 200 acres for the management institute. "As discussed you are requested to identify a patch of land measuring 200 acres and submit the details of such land with land schedule and map to Idco for taking further action", Idco Chairman cum Managing Director wrote to the Collector of Ganjam, the home district of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Officials at the Khurda collector's office also said that the Idco CMD Vishal Dev, who is also the Secretary, Industries department, has asked the Khurda Collector for identification of 200 acres of land for setting up of the B-School. Sources said, Cuttack collector has also been asked to identify the land.

The move from Idco follows the Union Human Resource Development Ministry's letter to the Odisha government to provide free land measuring 200 acre inside the state for establishment of an Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

The land must be free from litigation and should be situated in a city that has better rail, road and air connectivity, Ashok Thakur, secretary with the HRD ministry said in the letter. The state government was asked to suggest 2-3 probable locations for establishment of the premier management institute. After the receipt of the same, a site selection committee would visit the state to finalise a location.

In July, the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had announced establishment of four new IIMs, including one in Odisha. The Odisha IIM has already been added as a choice for candidates appearing Common Aptitude Test (CAT) in November this year.

Balangir MP Kalikesh Singhdeo has recently shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider his native Balangir town for the B-school. Similarly, residents of Berhampur have been demanding for locating the elite B-School in their city.

Intellectual masses of Rourkela and Balasore districts have also raised similar demands in support of their cities as location for this institute.