SDF condemns Sikkim Univ VC’s statements on land acquisition

GANGTOK, 07 July: The Sikkim Democratic Front has come out strongly against what it sees as unjustified statements against the State government by the Sikkim University Vice Chancellor, with regard to delay in the land acquisition for Sikkim University at Yangang in South Sikkim.
Reacting to statements ascribed to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mahendra P Lama, and those made by Opposition leaders in his support over the delay in land acquisition, the ruling SDF has put up a strong counter against the accusations.

The SDF has asserted that since it was the SDF Government which was instrumental in bringing a Central University to the state, the party high command was “deeply and sincerely” committed towards strengthening the University by facilitating acquisition of land for the proposed campus in the South district hamlet at the earliest.
“The more important question here is whether the VC is sensitive towards the demands of the people of the state. Without understanding the ground reality, why did the VC try and trespass on the land which has still not been handed over to the university by the government,” countered the SDF spokespersons PD Rai and Bhim Dahal today.
The reference was to an SU visit to Yangang some time back, after which some land owners had alleged high- handed behaviour by the VC.
The SDF spokesperson, PD Rai, who is also the Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim and the press advisor to the Chief Minister, Bhim Dahal, contended that the land acquisition process was progressing at the right pace and in the right direction. The party representatives highlighted that persuading someone to vacate the land where he or she has been living for generations was a sensitive issue which usually takes longer time.
“The process of rehabilitation takes time and we are working as per the representation made by the affected families. We also want the university campus to be established at the earliest but then there are some formalities which we need to complete before the handing over,” explained Mr. Rai.
He went on to add that the state government has made every part of the land acquisition process transparent for everyone; however, the way in which the VC has reacted has put a question mark on his sincerity towards the state government.
Responding to media queries, the VC had stated that the land acquisition which was assured as nearing completion last year, had still not been completed. He had expressed fears that funds received for campus development might lapse because of the delay.
Further, Mr. Dahal said that despite the initial unwillingness and strong reservations among some of the fifty seven affected families, the State Government has managed to persuade them to give up their lands in the larger interest of the Sikkimese students.
Taking a strong note of the Vice Chancellor issuing statements in the media instead of approaching the State Government over the land acquisition issue, the SDF leaders have accused the VC of “behaving like a politician and not as an educationist.”
They also questioned the University’s sincerity towards the campus development project, claiming that the University has yet not submitted the  construction plan for the its proposed campus to the State Government to ensure conformity with the prescribed norms as directed by the Sikkim State Authority of Planning and Development.
The SDF duo then unloaded a fresh set of allegations against the VC.
They contended that SU has spent Rs.1.3 crores to advertise admissions at Sikkim University this year alone. However, even after spending such a huge amount, the University has only 225 students out of whom only 21 are locals.
“There are 42 teachers at the University which makes the ratio of one teacher for every four students, what is this? Even the low number of Sikkimese students in the University is a matter for concern which has still not been addressed by the VC. He should realise that the University is for the people,” exhorted Mr. Rai.
It was also alleged that the VC had delayed the affiliation of Soreng BEd College earlier which had created a lot of problems for the students here and similarly, the Vice Chancellor had also refused to give affiliation to the Gyalshing Degree College which is now affiliated to Vinayaka Missions Sikkim University. These, refusals as per the SDF spokespersons, were intended at ‘tarnishing’ the image of the state government by sabotaging its promise to the students of making higher education more accessible.