Ending all the speculations and allegations made by the HRD and Education minister of Bihar Government, the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Prof P. K. Abdul Azis has sent a detailed reply to Human Resource Development Minister Anant Kumar Singh on October 13, 2011. The letter of VC includes all the key instances and communication happened b/w the AMU administration and Bihar Government. The AMU Centre Co-ordination Committee Delhi has received a copy of AMU VC’s letter that is a crucial document to understand the real issues and negligent attitude of Bihar Government.
AMU VC speaks during National Conference on Sep 30
Note to Hon’ble Minister for Human Resource Development
Attention : Mr. Anant Kumar Singh
Status of AMU Centre, Kishanganj (Bihar)
2. The Secretary, Government of Bihar, Department of Human Resource Development informed the University that the Government has allocated 243.76 acres of land on payment of Rs.10/- as token salami, and Rs.1/- as annual rent for 30 years lease with option for renewal. In this offer letter there was no indication that the land offered was in three pieces. We thought it would be as per our requirement.
3. During May 22-23, 2010 we had visited Kishanganj and found that the land offered was in three pieces and the Visiting Team did not find it acceptable. However, the University has expressed willingness to take over the land on condition that the plot should be 250-300 acres of contiguous land inclusive of plot No.1 lying close to the State High Way. The Government of Bihar has not so far offered a contiguous piece of land as desired by the University. Hence we did not proceed further for taking possession of the land.
4. The University again contacted Bihar Chief Minster vide letter dated 8.12.2010 requesting to consider the matter on top priority.
5. On 24.2.2011, the Chief Secretary of Bihar Government has asked the District Magistrate, Kishanganj to identify 250 acres of contiguous land for establishing AMU Centre. Accordingly, the District Magistrate identified three pieces of land in the Kishanganj District.
6. A University team again visited Kishanganj during July 10-12, 2011 and inspected three sites identified by the District Magistrate earlier and another site suggested by the District Magistrate during our stay in Kishanganj. Accordingly, after seeing the sites, the University has indicated its preference as below:
(i) The land offered by Shri Afzal Husain, Islampur a Tea Plantation extending to 250-300 acres is the best site suited for establishing the AMU Centre in Kishanganj because of its proximity to expressway, Bagdora Airport, the Islampur Railway Station and the Bus Terminal at Islampur and requested the District Magistrate (Kishanganj) to hand over the land within 1-2 months.
(ii) The following two sites were also proposed in order of following preferences:
(a) Government land seen during the visit on 22/23 May, 2010 near the Mahananda River, close to the state high way on condition that the plot should b e 250-300 acres of contiguous land, inclusive of Plot No.1; and
(b) Dhanpura (Kuchadoman Anjal) – Plot No.1 inspected on 11.7.2011 (Ref. vide letter No.D-112/VC/Sectt. Dated 13.7.2011)
7. The recent letter from Principal Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of Bihar dated 30.9.2011 indicated that the land offered by Shri Afzal Husain is not “encumbrance free” land. He also insisted that the University should take over the land as offered by the Government, in pieces.
8. The University’s position is that we would accept the site only if it is contiguous land as mentioned in our letter dated November 26, 2008 addressed to the Hon’ble Chief Minster of Bihar.
9. A copy of a Power-Point presentation made at a meeting convened by AMU Co-ordination Committee, Kishanganj is being sent separately for your kind information.
Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis
Vice-Chancellor
