The recent news report carried by The Telegraph, Calcutte, about BESU upgrade (‘Dec.5 deadline set for BESU upgrade’, 24 Nov. 2007) is indicative of yet another probable backlash for the LF Government in their desperate move to retain control over the premier technical institute of the state. The State authorities will have to find answers to several uneasy questions should the MHRD at the Centre decide eventually to back out from its declared decision of taking over BESU as an IIEST, in the face of indirect opposition from the LF. An NIT-like status, which may go well with the LF Government’s demand for 50% reservation and management control after upgradation, will be seen as a factual downgrade for this famous institute by the academic community as well as the industrial and business establishments in the state and across the country.
The questions that one would like to sek answers to are:
1. How was the state’s demand for 50% (initially 75%) reservation justified after BESU’s upgrade to a national institute when there was no such state reservation in pre-upgrade situation?
2. Was the State Government’s demand backed by any state expert committee or legislative committee recommendation?
3. How wise was it for the State Govt. to retain control over management and student admission in BESU at the expense of IIEST status when it could boast of giving an IIEST to the nation and utilize the financial burden thus saved in bringing up other technical institutes in the state, thereby expanding technical education infrastructure in the state?
The ruling LF do not seem to care much about popular opinion. They are however known for confessing wrongdoings and blunders decades after they are committed. The people of the state may therefore have to wait before they hear today’s leaders talking about today’s blunders several decades after.
Sudip Ghosh
Switzerland 5313
30.11.2007
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