An additional source of income for Koraput populace : Eco-Tour activities

An additional source of income for Koraput populace :
Eco-Tour activities

K. C. Panigrahy

The term eco-tourism was coined by Hector Ceballos - Lascurain in 1983, and was initially used to describe nature-based travel to relatively undisturbed areas with an emphasis on education. The concept has, however, developed to a scientifically based approach to the planning, management and development of sustainable tourism products and activities.

It is an enlightening, participatory travel experience to environments, both natural and cultural, that ensures the sustainable use, at an appropriate level of environmental resources and, whilst producing viable economic opportunities for the host communities, and makes the use of these resources through conservation, beneficial to all tourism role players. It is not a marketing ploy, nor it is scenic or nature-based travel.

It is an approach that creates a variety of quality tourism products that are :

(a) environmentally / ecologically sustainable;

(b) economically viable; and

(c) socially and psycologically acceptable, i.e., friendly to ethnic groups.

The result of this is reflected in :

(a) an integrated and holistic approach to product development;

(b) capacity building in host communities;

(c) a sense and uniqueness of place; and

(d) commitment to the greening of the tourism industry.

So far the tourism package(s) for Koraput are designed mainly by the Governmental agencies, who seem to have adopted an adhoc measure mainly designed in a traditional way to engage the government officials of their Tourism Corporation. There seem no serious effort is being made to evaluate and redesign the tourism activities, adopted since about three to four decades in Koraput region. The present activities under the garb of ‘eco-tourism’ are already experiencing the devastation of over-visitation (deGroot, 1983). Two such cases may be cited, i.e. (a) ‘Gupteswar shrine’ and (b) Newly developed ‘Deomali Parbat’ which are our prime spots and we have to market Koraput’s tourism products mainly citing above two. Thus, it needs careful designing in consultation with; not only tourism experts; but also the anthropologists, sociologists, psychologists, management experts etc., as the ‘eco-tour’ activities are very sensitive particularly in a Scheduled Area like Koraput.

The agencies now responsible to carry on tourism activities in Koraput region may put forth contrary arguments citing textbook ‘tourism’ theories, but the above said two great sites are now doomed. Government experts are now planning to intervene further in constructing lodges, hotel, bars, etc., at the ‘Deomali’ high peak with the NALCO peripheri development grant. Some times back Forest Department received Lakhs of grant for development of eco-tour activities, but spent without perusing the guidelines of the WETS (World Eco-Tourism Society), in constructing so-called view towers at ‘Deomali. These are not at all‘eco-tourism’ activities. In this context Rajendra Kishor Panda, former Member, Board of Revenue, Orissa, commented :

“Exposure to ‘tourism’ has several implications, positive and negative, especially in areas where ethnicity of populace and virginity of Nature’s bounty are vital factors of cultural cohesion” (2001)

In this context World Eco-Tourism Society has rightly put the following suggestions for future community-based eco-tourism planning. Government agencies ment for tour activities ought to be aware of the Preliminary rules of eco-tour management.

1. Village Level : Any plan that includes use of local resources must be planned and implemented at the village level, even if the project has a wider scope.

2. Local integration : Genuine ecotourism must integrate local people as equal partners into the design, implementation, and every other aspect of projects that use lands and resources that are part of their subsistence patterns (Boo, 1990b). The local partners must also benefit from the recognised partnership between conservation and community development.

3. Boad-based, legal, local empowerment :Local peoples must become educated advocates for conservation, empowered to manage and administer long-term efforts as conscientious stewards of precious wild resources. Projects must be broad-based with wide involvement rather than based on elite village factions or individuals. Legal organisations must be established to run parks or tourism programmes. Thus there must be a strong educational component.

4. Use existing resources : Among the resources to be used are local human skills, labour and materials which should be made available through local people and the park centres. Tour leaders and planners should use local staff or local guides and encourage purchases of materials from local people.

5. Appropriate Scale : Design and development should be on a scale appropriate to local lifestyles, social structure, cultural world view, subsistence patterns, and community organisations. Ecotourism should be only considered a supplementary industry and an emphasis should be places on maintaining the existing agricultural, fishing or other rural industries.

6. Sustainability : Work for long-term sustainability and perpetuity of conservation efforts shuld continue. Donor agencies and funding organisations must become aware of the need for long-term commitment of resources to assist community development and conservation. In any village oriented conservation project, financial support must be obtained for immediate village run tourism facilities.

7. Local needs and conservation are primary : Tourist needs must be made secondary to the preservation of natural areas and their resources, including local people. Tourism projects must be designed to attract those ecotravellers who recognise their role as preservationists and who are willing to provide economic incentives for protection of these resources. Such tourists will be willing to forego the luxury, convenience, and costly amenities of the mass tourist trade to experience the authentic natural and cultural experiences that are becoming rare. Ecotourists should be informed rather than entertained, educated rather than diverted. Tourists and tour groups must be gently controlled according to the needs of the natural resources and the needs and wishes of local people. Tour group leaders in strategic positions have an obligation to educate clients.

8. Professionals must contribute : Biologists, anthropologists, and other on-site researchers should tailor some of their study to include hands-on work to involve local people in the responsibility and benefits of conservation.

9. Conservation is a viable development strategy : National governments must be encouraged to set policies for preserving wildlands and waste land as viable development strategies and for reforming land tenure systems so that local rural people can own land without a concomitant obligation to clear, graze, or cultivate their parcels in entirety.

10. Government Support : Governments as well as national conservation groups must actively support local people in ecotourism. This includes financial support, legal support and the creation of a bridge between local-level organisation and federal government systems.

11. Conscientious tour operators and investors : Tour operators who offer “ecotourism” destinations must work through the local communities and local tourism structures. Tour leaders must be thoroughly versed in local life and ecology and must incorporate educational components in their work. They should encourage visitors to purchase materials from sanctuaries and let visitors know how they can support and contribute to conservation of any site they visit. Foreign investors should be encouraged to invest in community-based ecotourism projects as equal partners with local communities or local investors. As an example, a foreign investor who shows an interest in taking on a village as his partner can be introduced to various villages, with the goal of developing and selling it, eventually to a village co-operative.

The agencies responsible for introduction and execution of tourism activities in Korpaut region must remember that: “Eco-tourism in its purest sense, is an industry which attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income, employment, and the conservation of local eco-systems. One must remember that it is responsible tourism that is both ecologically and culturally sensitive.”

One has also to note, while designing tourism activities for an area, that tourism is not a unitary activity, but a multidisciplinary function. In fact, in a way, there is “Nothing called Tourism as such” as there is no tree which bears ‘garland of flowers’. Several activities, taken togather, constitute Tourism like a bunch of flowers stitched together makes a garland (Biranchi Mishra : 2003).

Koraput populace needs eco-tour activities to add extra income to their present activities of Dongar agriculture and gathering of minor forest produces for their livelihood. Sustainable eco-tour activities along with their traditional agro-forestry will certainly add extra income to take care of the populace.

The above guidelines may be taken as basic, and we may have to re-design our eco-tour activities for Koraput region as discussed bellow. These are only suggestions and while designing, one has to keep in view the culture of that particular area and its impact on the populace. We have also to note that - Culture and tourism both are two sides of the same coin. Let us summorise all the activities undertaken now by the government agencies which can be put as bellow:

(a) There is a tourist office at the district headquarters of Koraput since long with an officer and other officers at different locations.

(b) There are Pantha Nibasas one at Gupteswar and other at Sunabeda.

(c) To attract tourists, numbers of hoardings are being erracted at different places inside Koraput region and outside our state also.

(d) In addition to errecting hoardings at different places, government also publishes colourful pamphlets, booklets for distribution and advertises in news papers, magazines, and launch colourful websites with an intent to attract the tourists to Koraput.

(e) Festivals, Melas are also being organised at different places by the Government / agencies spending huge state resources said to be to attract tourists.

These are some of activities of the Government with the intent to advance tourism activities in Koraput region. At times government also organise ‘Tour-guide’ trainings also with the intent to part skills to the local youth by which they can be self-employed. All the above strategies are seem to be only text book theories and the ground realities are not taken to account. Those strategies may not be suitable to tribal area i.e. a Scheduled Area.

A trend analysis of the above activities, tasks, events undertaken by the government and their agencies may be presented as bellow from a Pragmatic point of view.

(i) After receiving the tour-guide training where would the unemployed youth be expecting their prospective clintle and how the clintle tourist be able to reach him-at which place ? Is there any organisation in Koraput region who will appoint or assign tasks to them ? What is the gestation period for which the guide will wait with hungry stomach for the arival of so called tourists ? Many such fundamental questions arise. It seems that there was no forward linkage while designing the tour-guide training courses suitable to the Koraput youth.

(ii) Next comes the present propoganda exercises undertaken by the government / agencies for promotion of tourism activities in Koraput region. If a group of tourist arive in the region and as per the present scheme of propoganda, can they be able to contact the collector or the Tourist officer to arrange or extend necessary help for their forward activities ? Can the Collector or the Tourist Officer be able to attend such requests ? Is there any suitable mechanism with the Collector or Tourist Officer to handle such requests from the Prospective tourists ? If not, why these festivals, melas, advertisements, websites, hoardings etc. ? At whose Cost ? The propoganda strategies now undertaken by the agencies may be taken up suitably after creation of human resources at the strategic spots of Koraput region. The stake holders of the prospective eco-tour activities are to be identified first and also suitable eco-tour packages are to be designed in consultation with the sociologists, anthropologists, psychologists, management guru’s along with tourism specialists. The packages should to culture friendly by which the stake holders can accept and practicise to host the prospective tourists to Koraput region. After designing the modules, the stake holders are to be trained properly who can be able to take care of the tourists in extending hospitality. The present mechanism of posting one or two government officials having no power to take suitable decission to suit the ground realities can not promote tour-activities anywhere and the present tokenism is only a waste of public fund.

(iii) In this connection, another question crops up. It is said by the government agencies that the swarm of tourists, both inland and foreign, now flocking to Koraput region are for the publicity campaign carried on so far by the government agencies. It is a half truth. The crux or essence or root of the problems are placed before us by the tourists both from foreign and inland with whom we come across and interact at the Tribal Museum of Koraput. It is also a fact that majority comes to Koraput not because of tour operators persuation or for the publicity of the government agencies. But, because of the writings of Verrir Elwin’s and for the Oxford University Press Publications which has raised the Bondo and Saura highlanders to sky-high in hilighting their peculier culture which, infact, attracts many foreign tourists to Orissa, Particularly to Koraput region as explained by the credible tour operators of Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam. Now there is no dearth of literature in European languages on Koraput and its ethenic groups. They have more indepth studies than our government agencies.

(iv) Another million dollar question is who are gaining from the tourism activities now carried on in the Koraput soil ? The benificiaries are not the real Koraput populace. Of course they are being engaged by the hoteliers, tour operators as Kulies, table cleaning boys or as forth grade servents (the term is coined in the government offices) because outsiders can not be imported or inducted as they may be costlier.

With this scenerio of tourism activities now carried on in Koraput soil, it is essential and desirable, as early as possible, to redesign the tour or eco-tour activities in consultation with multi-disciplinary academicians/experts who can be able to design proper modules which can be placed before the stack holders of the population of the area/spot to enable them to ponder and accept a module which they feel culture friendly to their village / area.. As discussed earlier, eco-tourism is the right type of activities which can take care of the Koraput populace in adding extra income to ther Dongar (Agro-forestry) cultivation as well as their cultural and biological diversity. Since these activities are on their own homeland, the cultural heritage will be protected and promoted instead of imposing imported culture as being practicised in the case of conventional tourism. Now it is a known fact that the agricultural activities (Dongar Cultivation) only can no longer be dependable or sustainable to provide economic sustainability. Designing appropriate eco-tour packages for Koraput region needs multi-disciplinary consultation as this is a Scheduled Area and a fragil region.

Director, Tribal Museum
Koraput – 764020, Orissa, India

•

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF ORISSA, KORAPUT

1. Certain facts are placed here-relating to the Central University of Orissa, Koraput (CUO) and its Honorable VC Prof. Surabhi Banerjee.

2. To our perception the VC is a God. Unfortunately the CUO has a VC who seems not of that tribe called God.

3. Koraput region is a scheduled area dominated by the tribals. Unless one have the insight, may not understand the koraputians properly, thus, some outsiders take the liberty of exploiting them in all forms, which may be in praising with good words and assuring to take them to heaven also.

4. The CUO is the first of its type in Odisha and was inaugurated at Koraput on August 29,2009 with the full support of Sri Jagannath Mandir, Popularly called Sabara Srikhetra, Till the inauguration of the CUO Sabara Srikhetra has organized from A to Z i.e. arranging a Campus of two & half acres with sufficient structures, remodel the campus to run a Central University, two hostel buildings and the inaugural function from distribution of invitation to arranging flower garlands on request from the Honorable VC with firm assurance to reimburse the actual expenses.

5. Now, it seems, the health of the CUO is not good, In this context, writing are reproduced here to draw the attention of the intelligentia to show Prof. Banerjee the right way.

6. In this context we have published a book let titled ‘The Case of a Cat Looking at a King’. For a copy one may kindly mail to : kcpanigrahy@gmail.com with full postal address.

K.C. Panigrahy

From
K.C. Panigrahy
Convenor, INTACH
Koraput Chapter, Odisha India
E mail : kcpanigrahy@gmail.com
Koraput-764020,Orissa Date : February 3, 2010


To

Sub : Central University of Orissa, Koraput.

Dear Sir,
I am addressing this to you that as you are a leading leader and Public representative of Odisha you may be able to appreciate the plight of the new-born Central University of Orissa, Koraput and its first batch students under the leadership of Prof. Surabhi Banerjee as its VC. To peruse the details you may kindly go through the attached letter addressed to the collector & District Magistrate, Koraput (Orissa).


2. The University at Koraput, a long cherished dream of the people of KBK region seems to have become a victim of metropolitan elite intrigue. Its location in the midst of a tribal region seems to be an eye-sore to those for whom Orissa means the Bhubaneswar only.


3. Unfortunately, the Vice Chancellor also feels that a place without an airport is not suitable for the location of an University. It is unfortunate that Koraput has come to enjoy the dubious distinction of being the first in the history of university education in India, to be made to function by a Vice Chancellor residing at a distance of 1000 Km’s away at Kolkota, a hand picked bureaucracy having no experience are functioning from a distance of 500Km’s away at Bhubaneswar ; the students sitting on strike demanding quality education and proper minimum sundry units essential for an University and the poor handpicked teachers looking nervous and dejected


4. Hon’ble VC, since her joining an Feb 28,2009, visited Koraput thrice before the inaugural Ceremony (held on August 29) and four times after, last being to meet the agitating students. Total days she spend at Koraput in eleven months may be of 15 to 20 days.



5. Govt. of India notified for Koraput University and placeed rupees one corer twenty five lakhs as a first installment through UGC and Prof. Surabhi Banerjee joined as its first VC on Feb, 28,2009 demitting her office of the VC of Gour Bang University (W.B). There was no dearth of fund since her joining. She might have received more fund in the mean time.

6. Hon’ble VC had first taken up the task of locating the proposed university near the Bhubaneswar suggesting the authorities to set up only a constituent college at Koraput (Vide her brief perspective plan, April 2009) as she thinks that the University must be connected by air to the rest of the country though she is not aware that Koraput is well connected by daily train services from Kolkata (Samaleswari) and Bhubaneswar (Hirakhanda) and having prestigious organizations like HAL & NALCO. This shows her love for tribal Koraput. The new born Central University needs a dedicated VC a University will not be reputed by Connecting to Capital to by thousand air lines or trains. (although it is a plus point)



7. When the State Government finally said No to her proposal she had to come to Koraput first on May 22,2009 to request the COATS (Council of Analytical Tribal Studies) to spare some of their structures and the Campus to land the University. The COATS authority agreed in the interest of Koraput.

8. As the Govt. of India site selection Committee headed by the Joint Secretary Sri Kumar had to visit on June 14,2009, Hon’ble VC requested Sri Jagannath Mandir (Sabara Srikhetra) authorities to help her in taking up the remodeling of the COATS structures and the campus on war footing to make the campus suitable for opening of an University, as she had no staff at Koraput and no time to take up through the government agencies. The Mandir has an engineering wing and have the experience of executing monumental structures. She had clearly stated ( in presence of CUO officers and others) that the actual expenditure will be reimbursed from the University fund. Subsequent correspondence of the CUO confirms her commitment to reimburse the actual expenditure. Mandir authorities engaged their engineering wing day and night during heavy rains at Koraput and made the Campus ready for inauguration Anybody visits now will feel that as if he is at a mini Bisva Bharati.

9. The inaugural Ceremony on Aug 29 become an Unique event because of Mandir had taken up all most all the tasks from A to Z. including distribution of invitation cards. It seems, after the success of the inaugural Ceremony when the VC got bha-bha from HRD Minister and also from our Chief Minister, she quietly forgot that a first batch of students are admitted at a new-born University and also to clear the dues of rupees 13 lakhs & 61 thousands spent by the Mandir authorities from their own fund for (i) the remodeling of the entire University Campus and (ii) for all the arrangement of the inaugural Ceremony ; though she had cleared subsequently the bill of rupees 55 lakhs to a Bhubaneswar agency who was entrusted for one time advertisement of the inaugural Ceremony mainly in the Kolkota and Delhi news papers. The local help rendered by the Mandir, COATS & the District Administration of Koraput to Prof.Banerjee to start a new University at Koraput may have not been extended at other places for the new proposed universities.

10. Perusing the above facts, which are true to the best of my knowledge and belief, you may have perceived the functioning of the new born. Central University of Orissa, Koraput. If you feel desirable, you may kindly put a word to the right person for early intervention

with kind regards

Yours Sincerely
(K.C. Panigrahy)

From
K.C. Panigrahy
Secretary, Sri Jagannath Mandir
Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput-764020

Sri Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, IAS Lr. No : 23/JM/10
Collector & District Magistrate -cum- Dt : 27/01/2010
Working President, Sri Jagannath Mandir,
Sabara Srikhetra, KORAPUT -764020

Sub : Central University of Orissa, Koraput.

Dear Sir,
I am told that while Hon'ble VC addressing the students and teachers on January 23, 2010 at the University Campus has stated that the Temple authorities are claiming rupees fifteen lakhs for the inaugural ceremoney on August 29, 2009 (which is far from truth) and thus she has moved the State Government for payment. It seems it is her panic reaction in an attempt to divert the attention of the agitating students and public, though she is well aware of the facts which are otherwise.

2. In the interest of Koraput region, I would like to note that the matter of proper governance of the new born Central University of Orissa deserves your serious attention as you are the District Magistrate of Koraput. Your immediate intervention, though the CUO may be a Central government organisation, is seems essential. In the mean time certain facts of grave lapses might have come to your notice. Till now there is no minimum facilities like a text book library at least. The most sufferers are the 'Mass Communication & Journalism' students who have till now are not exposed to any gadgets which they are supposed to handle frequently to have the confidence. I am told that the Hon'ble VC had sermoned to the student on 23-01-2010 saying that the students wil be taken to different studios of our country on study tours. It seems it is to white wash the whole problem. The study tour can not serve the purpose of handling of the gadgets by the students. After laboratory practice, the study tour will yield the result. Any sane person can visualise the realties. Procurement of text books for the library and having a communication studio is not of most difficult task. The authorities could have used the Gyan Mandir (e-library-cum-studio) of Sri Jagannath Mandir with little addition and alteration for the Mass Communication & Journalism students. as well as other facility students. The above arrangements will cost much less than the so-called study tours. It seems the Hon'ble VC has never applied her wisdom to solve the problem. This could have also been managed even staying at Kolkota. In fact, earlier she had written a letter to our president to allow to use the 'Gyan Mandir'. It seems, after the sucess of the inaugural ceremony when she got bha-bha from HRD Minister and our Chief Minister, she quietly forgot that a first batch of students are admitted at a new University.

3. I may also note that Sri Jagannath Mandir of Sabara Srikhetra is the pioneer to take the public load since 1995 for establishment of an university in Koraput region which is a backward scheduled Area. After much endeavour and untiring efforts for one and half decades the Government have been pleased to open a Central University at Koraput in 2009 by the grace of god. Fortunately since 1995 all the Hon'ble MPs and MLA's, of Koraput region (four districts) irrespective of their politial affilation, Co-operated activety in our endeavour which is rare in any other part of our country. As we are striveing since 1995, therefore voluntereed to cooperate with the 'Central University of Orissa' team from the day one in providing of temporary accomodation in the premises of our sister organisation (COATS) remodeling the campus as desigred by VC for opening an University and make all arrangements for the inaugural ceremoney, lest the project might be hijacked as a proposal was being hatched to have the university campus at Bhubaneswar. Hon'ble VC was also very much interested to stay at Bhubaneswar or in worst at the near by Dhenkanal or Anugul and she had submited such a proposal to the authorities. Against this background I now bring to your kind notice the main issues so that you may be able to appreciate the whole gamut of the problems.

4. On personal request by the Hon'ble VC and the advice of the Collector, we have taken up, the following works for the C.U.O to start functioning.

(I) Remodeling of the COATS campus to make it suitable for running a University.
(II) Arrangements for the inaugural ceremoney at 'Nisani Munda'.

5. Both are separate works and items. Hon'ble VC had personally requested to remodel the COATS campus, engageing sufficient extra workers to make the COATS campus as early as possible suitable for opening the University prior to the visit of the Central team headed by the Joint Secretary (HRD), Government of India. She had specifically told me in the presence of the Collector and other officers of CUO that the expenditure made for remodeling of the COATS campus and white washing/painting of the proposed hostel buildings will also be met from the CUO fund. Officers on Special Duty of the CUO has also given in writing that the expenditure will be re-embursed from the University fund. The District Administration had under taken the remodeling, white washing etc, tasks of the two Hostel Buildings and it seems the CUO has not yet taken care to re-emburs the cost involved to the District Administration also.

6. For the arrangements in a rainy season at the Nisani Munda (inaugural ceremoney venue) we could be able to complete at a cost of Rs. 4,03,152.00 (Rupees four lakhs three thousand one hundred fifty only) which includes construction of temporary road and drain from the main road to the venue stage which was quite essential. You are well aware of the hardship we faced to execute the work both day and night during heavy rains when you happened to be the Sub-Collector and you are an eye witness to it.

7. We place bellow the detail headwise expenditure made by the temple which we had already supplied alongwith xerox copies of the cash book, all the vouchers and the extracts of MB to the university authority. What else the CUO authorities need for settlement ? The tragic irony is that there is no bonafide officer either at Bhubaneswar or at Koraput and Hon'ble VC seems busy with the so-called CUO development projects. Unfortunately now the Hon'ble VC is stating blatant lie before the students and teaches meet on 23-01-2010. Is It the wisdom of a VC ?

Details of the expenditure made for theremodeling the proposed University Campus and the inaugural ceremony of the Central University of Orissa, Koraput by Sri Jagannath Mandir, Sabara Srikhetra, Koraput

Item No. I
1) Remodeling / Renovation works including roof repairing,

Replacing of old GCI sheet wherever necessary,
maxphalting the roof, Laying of Concrete roads,
Landscaping and fencing, painting & colour
working, decoration with Jhoti etc. 9,22,645.00

2) Electrification to the structures and premises 35,532.00
Total - I Rs : 9,58,177.00

Item No. II

3) Landscaping the inaugural meeting venue with
laying of temporary roods, drains etc and erection
of stage 1,47,540.00

4) Erection of Temporary pendal with 4000 capacity
sitting arrangements, decorating with cloth etc. 2,07,145.00

5) Erection of Flex Boards for the Hostels, venue,
campus etc. with the MS Angle frames. 26,971.00

6) Arrangements of Mike, Electrification, Generator etc.

at inaugural venue 10,300.00

7) Procurement of flowers etc. to decorate the meeting

stage and the plaque etc. 8,316.00

8) Postage and other expenses for the distribution

of the invitation letter and subsequently the

invitation cards to the dignitories of the undivided

Koraput plus 00other KBK area. 2,880.00

B.F Total - I Rs : 9,58,177.

Total -I I Rs :4,03,152.00
Total-II Rs : 4,03,152.00 Grand Total Rs : 13,61,329.00

(Rupees thirteen lakhs sixtyone thousand and three hundred twentynine only)

Please Note : Earlier the bill was submitted for Rs.13,56,235/- as an item was later paid.

8. The total is not fifteen lakhs but the expenditures for the inaugural ceremony is only 4,03,152/- In spite of our repeated requests and clarifications the claim has not been settled as yet.

9. Till the end of the inaugural ceremoney of the Central University, Sri Jagannath Mandir of Sabara Srikhetra arranged everything from A to Z including the distribution of invitation letter first and subsequently the invitation cards to all the dignitories of KBK region as well as of Orissa State.

10. You may be astonished to know that the VC is said to have spent rupees Rs.55,00,000/- (Rupees fiftyfive lakhs only) towards advertisements charges only for the inaugural ceremoney in the news papers mainly of Kolkata and Delhi editions awarding a contract to one M/S Alakananda Publications vide CUO file No.1024/CUO/09. There are many more such instance of exhorbetant expenditure incured.

11. I am not sure whether the above expenditure made by Hon'ble VC was in the interest of the Central University of Orissa, Koraput and public. Moreover, it seems the expenditures made by the Hon'ble VC are not as per the Government Order No.G.23011/22/2009 - IF.I, Government of India, Ministry of Human Resources Development of Higher Education read with the Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M. issued in F.No.66 (16)/PF-11/2009 dated 24th July 2009 and No.7 (I). E. Coord / 2009 dated 7th September, 2009 which inter alia stipulated urgent need for rationalization of expenditure and optimization of available resources in order to ensure adequate resources for meeting the development needs. (All the words are from the referred G.O.).

12. In spite of allotment of six quarters by the State Government, the Hon'ble VC is staying at Hotel Mayfair, Bhubaneswar paying Rs.6,000/- daily rent. Further on the plea of holding a seminar, all the students and teachers were shifted from 'Koraput' to 'Bhubaneswar' bearing entire expenditure of their TA, DA and lodging at Bhubaneswar out of the University fund seems to be the repitation of 'Dilli se Daulatabad' syndrome and may need immediate treatment. Another so-called two seminar/workshops of 'English language' and 'Tribal problem' are also seems to be dramas. The Hon'ble VC may have to clarify her actions when the questions arise. Now she is talking about study tour to studios of our Country. At what cost ? For whose benifit ? Certainly not of the students.

13. In the face of the categorical commitment of the OSD made in his letter No.CUO/1013/2009 dated 1.8.2009 addressed to the Collector and District Magistrate, Koraput (copy enclosed) that the actual expenditure for the inaugural ceremony would be reimbursed from the accounts of the central University of Orissa. Now the plea taken by the Hon'ble VC that she moved the State Government for payment is quite absured as there was no such request to us from the state Government to make such arrangements solely for the function of the university. It seems the Central University authorities are bent upon playing the game of hide and seek which has to be stopped. Of course, the CUO authorities cannot go back from their commitments which tentamounts to clear breach of trust.

14. Under the circumstances, I appeal to your goodself to take up the matter with the Hon'ble VC and ensure prompt reimbursement of the total expenditure of Rs. 13,61,329.00 incurred by the temple in good faith and in public interest to comply with the request made by the Hon'ble VC seeking our co-operation.

Yours faithfully,
K.C. Panigrahy
Secretary

Copy forwarded to the Hon'ble VC Prof. Surabhi Banerjee to her three addresses :(i) Main Office at Koraput, (ii) Camp Office at Bhubaneswar and (iii) The real office (Res.) at Kolkata, for her kind information. She is again requested to be kind enough to keep her words and settle the dues immediately. She may also kindly note that the Mandir is not a private contractor and it is an autonomous legal body where four collectors of Koraput region are its ex-officio office bearers and Superintendent of Police, Koraput is also the ex-officio Vice President. The CUO authorities shall not treat the letters, documents submitted by the Mandir authorities are from an irresponsible body or a person.

(b) Further, Hon'ble VC may kindly favour the Public of Koraput region in shifting her actual Headquarter from Kolkata to Koraput at her earliest convenience and may visit her camp office at Bhubaneswar and Delhi from Koraput. It is in the interest of the infant University and she may kindly consider to stay at Koraput at least for a period of fifteen days in a month.

(c) Further more, the Hon'ble VC may kindly consider to either appoint or bring on deputation a qualified and able Registrar and a suitable Finance Controller. The so-called two or three OSDs are not in the interest of the new-born University. Ofcourse, These OSDs can be controlled with a remote.

(d) She may also kindly consider to start a library at least with the text books and other sundry units relating to an university immediately as she is not yet able to appreciate, the plights of first batch students.

(e) She may also kindly consider either to appoint or bring on deputation senior professionals as faculty members instead of temporary juniors on whom Hon'ble VC's remote controlled Sword is always hanging, for which the juniors are not in a position to express their wisdom.

(f) Any sensible person will definitely appreciate that these demands of minimum essential arrangements are in the interest of the University and students. So-called sermons of the Hon'ble VC (as I am told) on January 23, 2010 to the students teacher meet at Koraput campus that "the VC is at liberty to stay at any place of the country and shall not be expected to sit at Koraput" seems not at all good for the health of the new born baby university. Perhaps due to student agitation earlier (Generally the studentss of M.A Classes do not dare to agitate) the Hon'ble VC has to state as above to boost her capacity.

(g) Hope, the above submissions before the Hon'ble VC will kindly be appreciated as she is an academician. As the Hon'ble VC had made the issue public first in the students, teachers meet, I am circulating this to the concerned public and authorise to clear the confusion created.

K.C. Panigrahy
Secretary

Please Note :
Hon’ble VC Prof. Surabhi Banerjee had again repeated the same before a Press Conference at Bhuabneswar on February 3, 2010

Facts are stubborn things

F Prof. Surabhi Banarjee, VC of the University of Gour Banga(WB) was appointed as the VC of Central University of Orissa, vide Notification No. F. 42-2/2009-Desk (u) Dated 28th February, New Delhi, 2009.

F Prof. Banarjee joined the Central University of Orissa on the `same day of notification i.e. on Feb 28, 2009 in submitting her joining report to the visitor ( President of India, New Delhi).

F As per the web site ot the University of Gour Banga (WB) : http:// www.ugb.ac.in/ vc / Prof. Banerjee was continuing as the VC of Goura Banga tile June 8, 2009. If is rather strange as to how is it possible for the same person to hold two posts from 28-02-2009 to 08-06-2009

F When Prof. Banarjee submitted her resignation to the chancellor (Governor of west Bengal) ?

F When the resignation was accepted ?

F Was she in duel charges of both the Universities on the basis of any such order?

F If not what is the inside story?

Courtesy:R.K.Laxman

CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF ORISSA, KORAPUT AT A GLANCE

1. The Govt. of India gave its approval for establishment of 12 new Universities Bill in 12 states and tacking over and conversion of 4 existing State Universities on Friday, October 03, 2008.

2. The said University bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on 24th February, 2009 and became an Act. It was earlier introduced in the Lok Sabha on 17th February, 2009 and passed in the Lok Sabha on 19th February, 2009

3. Prof. Surabhi Banerjee the VC of the University of ‘Gaur Bang’ a west Bengal State University at Malda functioning in a High school was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Orissa, Koraput vide Notification No. F. 42-2/2009 – Desk (U), Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Higher Education, Dated the 28th February, New Delhi, 2009.

4. Prof. Surabhi Banerjee assumed the charge of the VC of the Central University of Orissa in submitting her joining report to the ‘Visitor’, Central University of Orissa, Rastrapati Bhavan, New Delhi on the same day of notification where in she stated :

“ I here by demit the office of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Gour Bang having already submitted my resignation and join as First Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Orissa from today” (i.e 28th Feb. 2009). We are not aware of wether Prof. Banerjee submitted her joining report before the Visitor (President of India) after the resignation was accepted by the Chancellor (Governor of west Bengal).

5. The First VC of the Central University of Orissa Prof. Banerjee opened her office of the ‘Central University of Orissa’ at 28/6-B, Bepin Pal Road Extension, Po-Kalighat, Kolkota – 700 026.


6. Prof. Banerjee received a grant of rupees One Crore and Twenty five lakhs from the University Grants Commission on 17th March 2009. On 19th March 2009 She came to Bhubaneswar and opened an account in the State Bank of India, Head office Branch hearing A/C number 30715436599. Prof. Banerjee had opened a makeshift office at the Reception office of the integrated Test Range, DRDO office at Bhubaneswar.

7. Prof. Banerjee came to Orisa and met the Chief Secretary Mr. Ajit Tripathi along with other Secretaries and officers of the HE. Dept. on 19th March, 2009 at the State Secretariat and Hon’ble Chief Minister Sri Naveen Patnaik on 20th March, 2009. During discussion when Prof. Banerjee sought for guidance to recruit the temporary office staff, she was advised to appoint after the election is over. Further she was advised to appoint experienced officers who are well-versed with the educationed matters. She was advised about certain retired officials to who subsequently she appointed. They were Dr. Barada Kanta Mishra OES (Retd) and former Jt. Secretary to HE Dept. Govt of Orissa. Dr Mishra was also a member of the State Pollution Board. Besider Dr. Mishra, she appointed Sri Laxmidhar Pati, former Sr. Officer of the Finance Dept Govt of Orissa, Sri Brijaya kumar Parida OAS (Retd), former Jt. Secretary of Govt of Orissa as the Dy. Register, Bansidhar Parida former officer of the State Pollution of Board as Asst. Register. All the above officers left the University with in a short period for the reasons may be best known to Prof. Banerjee. Similarly Ajaya Kumar Mandhata, Kiran Panigrahy left the University.

8. Prof. Banerjee in her first ‘ Brief Perspective Plan’ submitted to the Government of India and the State Government had submitted :

“ In view of my meetings, interactions and search work, I may submit (that) Koraput may be developed as a Satellite Campus, even a constituent College may be setup there. There is adequate land available at village ARUGUL near the proposed site for IIT, which is only 25 Kms away from Bhubaneswar . This is an ideal location. There is also sufficient land in ‘Dhenkanal’ which is very well connected and suitable for Central University”.

9. When the above report was leaked, there was hue and cry among all sectors in Orissa and e.magazine Portal published in its April 27,2009 news that :

“ It is totally disappointing and painful to learn that recently appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Surabhi Banerjee, of Central University of Orissa (CUO) is planning for a second campus in Bhubaneswar for her personal convenience rather than take caring interest of Orissa state. Keeping general election in mind, at the lost moment Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Union Government of India has hurijedly appointed Prof Surabhi Banerjee as the first Vice-Chancellor of the CUO and she is in no mood to move to Koraput due to lack of facilities like airport and modern health care units (Tathya .in, April 26,2009 and Samaja, April 29,2009).

10. The Pioneer in its 9th May, 2009 edition wrote :

“Succumbing to the tremendous pressure from the intelligentsia of the state, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Orissa (CUO) Pro. Surabhi Banerjee has changed her stance. xxxxxxx . Clearly defensive, she said the campus would be opened at Koraput and classes would start in August xxxx”.

11. The Central University of Orissa, Koraput was inaugurated at Koraput on August 29,2009 by the Hon’ble Minister HRD Kapil Sibal in presence of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Orissa . On 18-09-2009 the Sr. OSD (Admin & Finance) wrote to Sri K.C. Panigrahy, Secretary, Sri Jagannath Mandir, Koraput that :

“xxx . Our University places on record its appreciation for the efforts made for making the inaugural event a grand success. We look forward to your continuous support in the interest of people of Orissa and also for the entire country. In order to reimburse you the expenses, as request please let us have the copies of all bill/ Vouchers / relevant documents to enable the Finance Department of the University for processing the payment in your favour at the earliest”

12. The Pioneer in the Bhubaneswar the edition of 9th February, 2010 reported that :

Xxxx . In response to the allegations against the temple management made by CUO VC Surabhi Banerjee at a press conference in Bhubaneswar on February 3, the management secretary rebuts through a press release : “we are not able to appreciate how and why a VC of her stature could stoop to so low and its speaks her credibility”.


13. While pondering over the issues of the Central University of Orissa, Koraput (The first University for Orissa) one may like to refer the following :

Universities are autonomous and the Vice-Chancellor is the leader of a higher education. As per the norm he/she should be an eminent academician, excellent administrator and also someone who has a high moral stature. As per the Constitution of the University, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) is considered ‘Principal Academic and Executive Officer of the University’. As head of the University he/she is expected to function as a ‘bridge’ between the executive and the academic wing of the University. It is to facilitate this expected role that Universities are always in search at persons with values, personality characteristics and integrity in addition to academic excellence and administrative experience. Finding the right person to fit into the position in important, not only in the interest of the University, but also in the interest of nation building, as thousands of students observe this leadership with high expectations as somebody who constitutes to their future.

14. The details of Hon’ble VC Prof. Surabhi Banerjee visit to Koraput.

(i) Hon’ble VC Prof. Surabhi Banerjee Joined the Central University of Orissa, Koraput on February 28, 2009.

(ii) Her first visit to Koraput was on May 22, 2009 at 1 PM and left Koraput on May 23 at 11.30 AM.

(iii) Her second visit was on June 14,2009 at about 1 pm along with a Central team headed by the Jt. Secretary to Govt. of India, HRD Dept. Mr. Sunil Kumar and left Koraput at about 4 Pm. The team had first reached NALCO guest house, took their lunch and visited proposed sites to finalise the permanent one and also visited the COATS Campus, Gyan Mandir to assess the suitability of the temporary Campus.

(iv) Prof. Banerjee’s thirst visit was on Auguest 25, 2009 at 1 pm and left Koraput on August 26 at 12 noon.

(v) Fourth Visit was the inaugural day i.e August 29 2009. She came with the guests and left Koraput along with the guests in the state plane.

(vi) She could be able to visit Koraput again on September 17, 2009 and left on 18th September. After the inaugural ceremony when she got the bha-bha for the Hon’ble Minister Kapil Sibal and Hon’ble Chief Minister Nabeen Patnaik, She quietly forgot that a first batch students are admitted to a new university, the University office was not yet organized properly, two hostels are opened and there was none except a lone young lady officer Ms. Kiran Panigrahy.

(vii) Sixth visit to Koraput was on October 15, at 2 PM along with some resource persons (friends ?) from Kolkata to conduct an ‘English’ work shop. Left koraput October 10 at 1 pm.

(viii) Seventh Visit to Koraput was on November 27, 2009 at 1 pm along with the Central Planning Commission Member Hon’ble Prof. N. Jadliab to attend a seminar on ‘Tribal Problem’. Left Koraput on November 29.

(ix) Last visit was on January 22, 2010 to control the agitating students. (Generally MA students do not dare to agitate. Unfortunately it happened due to obvious reasons).

Note : Prior to inaugural ceremony Hon’ble VC visited thrice and after it for four times totaling to about 15 days of her total ten use of about one year.

Compiled by K.C. Panigrahy
Director, Tribal Museum, Koraput (Orissa)