BHUBANESWAR: The higher education department has asked its regional directors of education (RDE)s to identify land for setting up of six model
degree colleges in six districts of the state. These include Balangir, Dhenkanal, Gajapati, Kalahandi, Koraput and Kandhamal.
Model degree colleges are established under the Model Degree College (MDC) scheme of the Union ministry of human resource development. But the normal colleges are established by the state or any private institutions.
The government on Wednesday issued a letter to the RDEs in Berhampur, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Jeypore to apply for land and take up their possession for these colleges on behalf of the state government.
These colleges will be set up under the Rashtriya Uchchattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA 2.0) grant in aspirational districts, which have lagged behind in education. Each MDC will come up for Rs 12 crore. The Centre will provide 60% of the fund, while the state will bear 40% of the expenditure.
Funds will be utilized for creation of infrastructure like classrooms, faculty rooms, hostels, librararies, laboratories, toilet blocks and other essential requirements with technologically advanced facilities.
Mihir Kumar Das, officer in-charge of performance tracking cell, higher education department, said the state already has set up eight MDCs in educationally backward districts including Rayagada and Malkangiri.
“Eight districts were selected as aspirational districts for setting up of MDCs. Two districts — Rayagada and Malkangiri — have MDCs. So we are going to set up such colleges in six districts. It may take around three years to complete the project,” he added.
Das further said the state is looking for land with proper road connectivity. “We want a patch of land measuring between five acres and 10 acres. If it falls within the city’s limits, we can manage with five acres or more,” he added.
The ministry of human resources development had recently approved a project for setting up of six MDCs in the state. These colleges will help the students of these backward areas receive quality education.
