Temporary office, ‘borrowed staff’ for Odia University: Varsity work not moving due to non-Odia officer, alleges BJP

The academic session of Odia University at Satyabadi in Puri district is all set to start with a temporary office as well as temporary staff from this year.

The State Higher Education Department has asked Utkalamani Gopabandhu Smruti (Degree) Mahavidyalaya, Sakhigopal in Puri district to deploy non-teaching staff in the varsity.

In a letter to the principal of the college, the Department has asked to provide three staff including two clerks and a peon on a temporary basis for only three months.

“The Odia University is going to commence from the current academic session. Further, arrangements have been done for functioning of the Office of the University in Panthanivas, Sakhigopal,” the letter read.

“You are, therefore, requested to deploy 2 numbers of clerical staff and one Peon of your College appointed against the D.P. posts to Odia University for a period of 3 months w.e.f. 01.08.2023 and to ensure other Logistic arrangements immediately for the functioning of the office of the University at Panthanivas, Sakhigopal and for smooth management of the day-to-day affairs of the University. You are also requested to immediately take possession of the Panthanivas, Sakhigopal on rent for a period of 3 months and set up the office of the university immediately by temporarily arranging necessary furniture and other logistic arrangements from your college,” it further read.

Meanwhile, State BJP slammed the Odisha government over the development and the delay in the start of the university.

“The proposed university is confined to concept only. The work of the university is not going forward as a non-Odia officer is governing the State,” said BJP spokesperson Rama Ranjan Baliarsingh.

“When the government has allocated only 11 acres of land for the university, it is quite unfortunate to take the decision to have the headquarters of the varsity in Bhubaneswar,” said Baliarsingh.

However, no comments from the State government and BJD could be obtained in this regard.