GAYA: Escalation of real estate prices and availability of large chunks of prime land in MU premises has evoked interest in business groups. These groups, according to university insiders are trying to get possession over university land on different alibis including establishment of institutions in the Public Private Partnership mode. The university campus is spread over 372 acres of land worth more than Rs 4000 crores. The University has allotted 59 acres for the establishment of IIM.

It all began with a well known group of hotels that wanted 25 acres of university land for the establishment of a five star hotel along with a convention center. Going by the market rate, the land value exceeded Rs 500 crores. The hotel group managed to convince a section of university officials including a former VC and a detailed project report was prepared with provisions for global tender for the construction of the hotel and the convention center.

Now a group of Gujarat based Diamond merchants has been lobbying for university land to establish a Nursing College in the university premises. If sources are to be believed, negotiations are going on between the Diamond merchants and some university officials on the issue.

According to Magadh University Post Graduate Teachers Association President Sunil Singh, the teacher body will oppose any move to allow outside agencies getting a foothold in the university. If a Medical or Nursing College has to be established, let the university establish it on its own. MU Estate officer Ramesh Singh said that he was not aware of any move to give university land to any other organisation.

Source: TimesofIndia