KOLKATA: The state government will set up four engineering colleges in Darjeeling, Alipurduar, Purulia and Murshidabad.
It is after almost 16 years that the government has planned to build such institutes that will help expand technical education in backward districts like Purulia and Murshidabad. "The engineering
colleges will be set up entirely with government funds. We have written to the four district magistrates requesting for land," said a senior higher education department official.
At present, there are six government engineering colleges in the state which include two in Kolkata and one each in Kalyani, Behrampore, Jalpaiguri and Serampore. "The last government college was established way back in 1996 in Kalyani. Two reasons played a major role in preventing new government colleges from coming up. First, there was an acute shortage of funds since the Left Front regime. The cash crunch still remains. But the Trinamool-led government has major plans for the education sector which has prompted them to come up with four new government
engineering colleges. Secondly, private players played a major role in expanding engineering education in West Bengal as more and more private investors set up institutes," added another higher education department official.
If new engineering colleges are set up, students will have to pay less fees as compared to private institutes. "The lump sum charged by the private colleges sometimes ruins a family since they bleed heavily after paying the fee.
Despite a cap on the fee these institutes can charge, complaints pour in regarding the violation of norms. Setting up four new government colleges will solve the crisis," said the official.
Around 300 students will be given admissions from the 2014-2015 session. "It will take us around two years to prepare the infrastructure," said the senior higher education official.
"It is the CM's dream to expand the horizon of education. Accordingly, she has asked us to set up new government engineering colleges. I have proposed the matter to the DMs and have written letters to allot land for the colleges," said education minister Bratya Basu.
At present, the entire district of Purulia or even Darjeeling does not have any engineering college. "Though Jalpaiguri has one government engineering college which was established way back in 1961, it is not sufficient for Dooars and hardly caters to the huge demand among students. Thus, another government engineering college has been planned in the same district since North Bengal has enormous importance," said the official.
On Monday, the higher education department has already written to the DMs seeking lands to set up the colleges.
"A minimum 5 acres is required for each college.
We have already received information about suitable land in Darjeeling and Murshidabad while replies from the other two districts is awaited. There will be adequate funds provided for the colleges. Moreover, students will benefit from the hostels and well equipped libraries which shall also be an integral part of the colleges," said the official.
The students will find a place in these colleges through WBJEE. Initially, the most popular streams like electronics and telecommunications, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil and B.Pharma will be opened. Later, the government may include more streams.
It is after almost 16 years that the government has planned to build such institutes that will help expand technical education in backward districts like Purulia and Murshidabad. "The engineering
colleges will be set up entirely with government funds. We have written to the four district magistrates requesting for land," said a senior higher education department official.
At present, there are six government engineering colleges in the state which include two in Kolkata and one each in Kalyani, Behrampore, Jalpaiguri and Serampore. "The last government college was established way back in 1996 in Kalyani. Two reasons played a major role in preventing new government colleges from coming up. First, there was an acute shortage of funds since the Left Front regime. The cash crunch still remains. But the Trinamool-led government has major plans for the education sector which has prompted them to come up with four new government
engineering colleges. Secondly, private players played a major role in expanding engineering education in West Bengal as more and more private investors set up institutes," added another higher education department official.
If new engineering colleges are set up, students will have to pay less fees as compared to private institutes. "The lump sum charged by the private colleges sometimes ruins a family since they bleed heavily after paying the fee.
Despite a cap on the fee these institutes can charge, complaints pour in regarding the violation of norms. Setting up four new government colleges will solve the crisis," said the official.
Around 300 students will be given admissions from the 2014-2015 session. "It will take us around two years to prepare the infrastructure," said the senior higher education official.
"It is the CM's dream to expand the horizon of education. Accordingly, she has asked us to set up new government engineering colleges. I have proposed the matter to the DMs and have written letters to allot land for the colleges," said education minister Bratya Basu.
At present, the entire district of Purulia or even Darjeeling does not have any engineering college. "Though Jalpaiguri has one government engineering college which was established way back in 1961, it is not sufficient for Dooars and hardly caters to the huge demand among students. Thus, another government engineering college has been planned in the same district since North Bengal has enormous importance," said the official.
On Monday, the higher education department has already written to the DMs seeking lands to set up the colleges.
"A minimum 5 acres is required for each college.
We have already received information about suitable land in Darjeeling and Murshidabad while replies from the other two districts is awaited. There will be adequate funds provided for the colleges. Moreover, students will benefit from the hostels and well equipped libraries which shall also be an integral part of the colleges," said the official.
The students will find a place in these colleges through WBJEE. Initially, the most popular streams like electronics and telecommunications, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil and B.Pharma will be opened. Later, the government may include more streams.
Source: TOI.
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