Centre grants Rs 34.73 Cr to KISS over two years

The Central Government has provided a grant of Rs 34.73 crore to Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) in Bhubaneswar in the past two years. In addition, the Centre has also supplied 1,500 quintals of rice every month for 10,000 students.

For the year 2023–24, Rs 25.41 crore was sanctioned for KISS, while Rs 9.31 crore was approved for 2024–25. At present, 14,482 children are studying at KISS, and the Central Government is supplying rice meant for 10,000 students.

This information was shared in the Assembly by the ST & SC Development Minister in response to a question raised by Congress MLA Dasarathi Gamang on Friday.

Must Read: Odisha Govt orders probe into KISS land grab allegations

Earlier in July this year, the Odisha government had ordered a joint investigation into allegations against KISS and KIIT educational institutions in Bhubaneswar for illegally occupying forest and government lands.

These allegations, long whispered about, include unauthorised construction on forest land, conversion of public property into private parking zones, and development of Rath Yatra grounds on encroached land.

Evidence suggests large-scale encroachment, triggering administrative action and casting doubt on previous claims of land regularisation.

The directive by the Home Department also mentions examining how government land came to be leased under unclear circumstances to these institutions.