Odisha HRD

School of Life Science, four star colleges and an infectious disease research unit

Following is an excerpt from a report in Pioneer. (See also this report in New Indian Express.)

Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Kapil Sibal on Friday said a School of Life Science would be established in one of the universities of the State.

Addressing a Press Conference here, Sibal said the Centre would provide all help in establishing the Infectious Disease Research Unit in the premises of the SCB Medical College, Cuttack. He was here to lay the foundation stone for a new research building of Institute of Life Science

Sibal further said that the Research Unit would be set up with the help of the Institute of Life Science. "Four existing colleges will be given the status of star college in Orissa," he announced, adding that the star college would be equipped with all sorts of modern facilities and technology. Students would be encouraged to take up research works particularly in the field of bio-technology. "Biotechnology has to play a key role in the country’s development," he said.

April 5th, 2008

PHFI to establish a public health training center in Bhubaneswar – Sambada. Why not an IIPH?

April 4th, 2008

National Research Institute of Ayurveda Drug Development (NRIADD) to establish its complex in Bhubaneswar

Following is an excerpt from a news report in New Indian Express.

The National Research Institute of Ayurveda Drug Development (NRIADD) would establish its own complex over three acres of land in the city.

… The institute was earlier functioning as the Central Research Institute (Ayurveda). Das, speaking on the occasion, stressed the importance of standardisation of medical research. She said that ayurvedic research should be upgraded by application of latest knowledge and should be linked to modern medical sciences for advancement.

On the goals of the institute, she said, it should develop into a centre of excellence in ayurveda where integrated team approach by the staff is important.

3 comments March 27th, 2008

Status report of AIIMS like institute

Following is from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36712.

LOK SABHA

The proposal for setting up of AIIMS-like institutions was approved by CCEA on 16.3.2006.  The initial bid process for selection of Project Consultant proved to be unresponsive.  The offer of short listed Architectural Design Consultant for preparing enlarged concept design was rejected due to the exorbitantly high price quoted by the selected designer.  Therefore, the whole process had to be initiated de novo in December 2006.  Several methodological changes were made to ensure progress keeping in mind the complexity of building 6 such institutions simultaneously and lack of capacity for taking the whole project as one.  Therefore, it was decided that each AIIMS site would be taken as a separate and independent project instead of clubbing all six together.  The construction of housing complex was also separated from that of Hospital and Medical College.

            The Design – DPR consultants have been selected for each site through an open competitive bidding.  The layout / master plans for the AIIMS sites at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Raipur and Rishikesh have been approved.  Approval of layout / master plan for Patna site is expected this month.  The Consultants are in the process of preparing architectural design, which is expected to be finalized by May 2008.  The detailed project report (DPR) would be ready by May-June 2008.  Thereafter, tenders would be invited for selection of contractor for civil construction work. 

            In so far as construction of residential complex (housing & hostel) is concerned, bids were invited for selection of turnkey Developers.  However, bid process was successful only for Jodhpur site and work has been awarded to M/s. Rajasthan State Road Development Corporation, a PSU of Government of Rajasthan.  Work is in progress.  The work relating to construction of residential complex at Rishikesh and Patna has been entrusted to HLL and for Bhubaneswar and Raipur to HSCC.  Tender process has been initiated for selection of contractors for Bhubaneswar and Raipur sites by HSCC.  For Bhopal site, housing complex work is being awarded alongside the hospital-medical college complex.

            The work of residential complexes is likely to be completed by 2009 and the hospital–medical college complexes by 2010.

            The details of funds allocated for the PMSSY and expenditure thereon during the last three years are as under: –

(Rs. in crore)

* Allocation will be fully utilized.

            Project Management Consultant for each site is also being selected for expeditious execution of the work.  Ministry has initiated steps to set up dedicated project cell at each site comprising medical expert, engineers and administrative support staff.  Each of the projects is being closely monitored by the Ministry to ensure that there is no slippage or delay at any of the sites.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

KR/SK/280 – LS

2 comments March 19th, 2008

Number of Medical Colleges in India (statewise)

Following is from http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=36337.

1 comment March 12th, 2008

Koustuv Group spreads its wings

The Koustuv group which currently has a diploma college (Koustuv School of Engineering) and  two operating engineering colleges (CoEB and KISD) has several more engineering colleges in the pipeline. They are Koustuv Institute of Technology (KIT), Khurda in Orissa and KITs in Ranchi and Kolkata. It also operates a plus two science college, Koustuv Institute of Science.  It has plans for a medical college  to be called Koustuv Research Institute of Medical Science (KRIMS). In regards to the medical college, there is a report in Telegraph regarding Koustuv’s success in its bid for a 400+ acres of land previously occupied by OTM. Following are some excerpts:

Koustuv Group, which recently got clearance from State Level Single Window Clearance Authority for a tin smelting plant at Khurda, has apparently emerged as front-runner in the auction of Orissa Textile Mills (OTM).

The state-owned composite cotton mill winded up in 2002.

Prabhat Ranjan Mallik, the chairman of Bhubaneswar-based Koustuv Group, was the foremost bidder with a fresh offer of Rs 43 crore for the OTM property and assets, including 422 acres of prime industrial land at Choudwar, in the final round of bidding in Orissa High Court yesterday.

The bidding vehicle set up afresh by Koustuv Group before the company affairs bench of Justice I.M. Quddusi plans to use the OTM factory complex for setting up a tin modulation unit.

“Moreover, a medical research centre comprising a state-of-the-art hospital and a medical college have been planned for the future,” said Koustuv Group counsel P. Mukherjee, while making a verbal bidding before the court. Mallik was also present in the company affairs court.

1 comment March 2nd, 2008

Some Budget numbers relevant to Orissa HRD (NISER, AIIMS-like, etc.)

Following is from Volume 2 of the expenditure of Budget 2008-09.

• NISER/IOP: The IOP+NISER budget (item 9.04 of the DAE budget) is 69 crores in plan + 9 crores in non-plan  = 78 crores. The nornal IOP budget is about 20 crores. Hence, 50-58 crores is the budget for NISER in 2008-09.  (Note that in 2007-08  IOP was allocated 32.75+7 crores and it spent 27.6+8 = 35.6 crores. I..e, Probably 15-18 crores were spent for NISER. )
• IISER: There is a budget of 150 crores (item 61 of the Higher education budget) for the five IISERs. (The budget for three of  them was 125 crores in 2007-08, out of which only 60 crores was spent.)
• new IITs: There is a budget of 50 crores (item 60 of the Higher education budget) for the establishment of three new IITs. (The budget for them was 80 crores in 2007-08, out of which only 0.01 crores was spent.)
• new IIITs: There is a budget of 21.4 crores (item 57 of the Higher education budget) for the establishment of new IIITs.
• AIIMS-like: There is a total budget of 490 crores (item 26 of the Health ministry budget) for the establishment of 6 new AIIMS-like institutes and upgradation of 10 other institutes. In 2007-08 the budget for this was 150 crores out of which only 90 crores was spent; most of it went to the upgradation part.
• NITs: The budget for the NITs (item 69 of the Higher education budget) is 808 (plan) + 285 (non-plan) = 1093 crores. Rs 608 crores of that is for enhancing the number of students to account for the OBC quota.
• IITs: The budget for the IITs (item 38 of the Higher education budget) is 1171 (plan) + 525 (non-plan) = 1696 crores. Rs 771 crores of that is for enhancing the number of students to account for the OBC quota.
• IISc Bangalore: The budget for the IISc (item 41 of the Higher education budget) is 130 (plan) + 91 (non-plan) = 221 crores. Rs 70 crores of that is for enhancing the number of students to account for the OBC quota.
• UGC: The budget for UGC (item 3 of the Higher education budget) is 3095.5 (plan) + 2009.4 (non-plan) = 5104.9 crores. Rs 875 crores of that is for enhancing the number of students to account for the OBC quota.
• NIRTAR and other 6 institutes for blind, deaf, mentally retarded and orthopaedically handicapped: The budget for them (item 21 of Ministry of Social Justice budget) is 47+27.05 crores.
• IIST (Indian Inst. of Space Sc. & Tech): Its budget (item 12 of ministry of space) is 65.25 crores. 25 crores out of a budgeted 75 crores was spent in 2007-08.
• ISIs: Its budget (item 4 of ministry of statistics) is 22.5 + 51.96 crores.
• NIFT: Its budget (item 11.01 of ministry of Textile) is 31.75 + 10 crores.
• Tourism: Its budget for training (item 5 of Tourism ministry) is 71 + 0.8 crores. It includes 26 Institutes of Hotel management, 7 Foodcraft institutes, IITTM, and NIWS (National Institute of Water Sports).
• CIPET: Its budget (item 2 of Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers) for the 15 centers is 31 crores.
• NIPER, Mohali: Its budget (item 7 of Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers) is 75+15 crores.
• National Institute of design: Its budget for (item 3 of ministry of commerce) is only 0.25 crores. It was 20.25 crores in 2007-08. It seems the funding pattern has been changed. There is now 50 crores (item 7 of ministry of commerce) for project based support to autonomous institutions which includes NID and several other institutions.

February 29th, 2008

Tender for construction of housing complex for AIIMS like institute in Bhubaneswar

Latest from http://www.mohfw.nic.in/tenders.html (see also http://mohfw.nic.in/tenders.htm):

Tender for Construction of Housing complex for AIIMS like institutions under PMSSY at BHUBNESHWAR(ORISSA)

Some details about the tender:

• Release label: January 2008
• Tender number: HSCC//BU-/155 D/2008
• Estimated cost: 60 crores
• Completion period of work: 15 months
• Date of issue of tender document: 2/12/08 – 3/3/08 up to 1:00 PM
• Last date of submission at HSCC NOIDA office: 3/4/08 up to 3 PM; opening at 3 PM
• Bid security: 61 lakhs

Earlier links are at https://www.orissalinks.com/?p=749.

February 17th, 2008

NRIs propose to set up three private medical colleges; Berhampur wants one: Dharitri

February 4th, 2008

Sickle Cell Disease Research Centre started functioning in Sardar Raja Medical College, Jaring in Kalahandi

Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express on this.

To combat sickle cell disease, a Sickle Cell Disease Research Centre has started functioning in Sardar Raja Medical College in Jaring of Kalahandi district under the leadership of project director Dr. Gyana Ranjan Padhi.

Padhi, a medicine specialist, after retiring from health Department services joined the medical college recently. He hails from Dasigaon of Kalahandi.

4 comments January 2nd, 2008

Orissa in slumber and may miss taking advantage of the 11th plan opportunities in higher education: Tathya.in

Action Item: Readers concerned about this may write to the CM at cmo@ori.nic.in to take immediate action and copy to one of the journalists in Orissa (perhaps Braja babu of Tathya.in at brajakmishra@gmail.com)

Following is from http://tathya.in/story.asp?sno=1455.

Orissa this time also is all set to miss the bus for Higher Education.

While the Higher Education Program for the Eleventh Five Year Plan is being final touches, Orissa is in deep slumber. 

And who will be able to wake up a sleeping state, which is at the lowest ebb of the investment plan of the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), asks educationists.

The Eleventh Plan is historical because investment in HRD sector will receive a big jump.

Just follow these numbers:

Currently there are 7 Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) s that was made over 60 years; there will 8 more during the 11th Plan.

There are 23 central universities made over 60 years; 30 more will be added during the Plan.

There are no world class universities in India and planners have decided to go for 14.

There are 6 Indian Institute of Management (IIM) s that was made over 60 years; there is a plan to establish 7 more.

There is a plan to set up Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH).

Currently there is a single National Institute of Design that was made in 60 years since Independence; there is a plan to make 4 more during the Plan.

The 11th Plan’s stated goal is to take the higher education enrolment to 15 per cent.

Orissa’s higher education enrolment is at the bottom 6.1 per cent.

So Orissa must be working very hard to take advantage of the 11th plan.

Lo behold ! No home work in sight and this time also the state is going to loose heavily, feel the educationists.

Chitta Baral, Professor in Arizona State University is a worried person.

And Prof. Baral has every reason to worry.

We need a world class university and not a single soul has raised his voice for the same in the Government, lamented Prof.Baral.

This type of institution will have a budget of Rs.1000 crore. 

It  would be again a pity, if the state is going to lose the same as there is  opportunity to make a strong case.

It has the Ravenshaw University which without any affiliate colleges, matches the expected model of a world class university.

But will the State Government make such a case, asks Prof.Baral.

While Orissa is haunted by deaths due to cholera, it will be an appropriate place for setting up an Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH)

Till date the State has made no efforts to get one of the proposed 5-7 IIPHs in Orissa.

So far Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) s are concerned Orissa has not done much beyond the Chief Minister sending a couple of half-baked and impolite letters to the Prime Minister.

On the other hand, many other states have sent more detailed proposals.

Take the case of KBK Central University, in the past Orissa has made a case regarding a Central University in KBK.

However, it has not followed up on it recently.

Is not it time the State Government to follow up on this and makes a case, by pointing to the central universities in the North East, asks he.

It is not too late for many of the above; otherwise Orissa will get the pea nuts and predictably complain about Central apathy against the state.

3 comments December 18th, 2007

Orissa government prepares for the infrastructure development around the upcoming AIIMS like institute

Following is an excerpt from a news report in New Indian Express.

The Government is required to acquire 1.42 acres of private land for construction of the proposed 200-foot wide road that will connect the AIIMS site to the National Highway No. 5.

… Another 2.25 acres of land of the State Police Academy in Patrapada village will be acquired for the project.

The Chief Secretary directed the Home Department to take necessary action and report compliance.

He also directed the General Administration Department to identify the private land falling under the site earmarked for AIIMS under emergency clause.

The meeting was informed that the Orissa State Cashew Development Corporation had already handed over the required land, coming under its area and construction work of a 40-foot wide alternative road along the AIIMS boundary wall to Patrapada village, to Roads and Buildings Division of the Works Department.

The Khurda Collector further reported that the process had been initiated to dereserve 0.803 acre of gochar land coming under the project site.

The Public Health Department in coordination with the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation will supply water for the construction works.

A 132-KV double circuit tower existing within the site will be shifted for which the Energy Department will deposit Rs 1.34 crore to the Orissa Power Transmission corporation Limited.

The meeting also decided to take the public-private partnership route for construction of a bus stand, market complex, yatri nivas and other facilities for public convenience.

December 11th, 2007

Vedanta University issues an EOI for its proposed medical college

The following is from http://vedanta.edu.in/news/?p=8.

Subject : Expression of Interest for the planning and design of A 1600 bed teaching Hospital and Medical college

Introduction

In 2006, the Anil Agarwal Foundation entered in to an MOU with the Orissa Government to set up the Vedanta University, a ‘not-for-profit’ initiative along the picturesque Puri- Konark marine drive in Orissa. The University and associated townships are on a 6300 acre campus, master planned by Ayers Saint Gross, the notable university architects and planners from Baltimore, Maryland USA.

The university is planned to have an ultimate strength of 100,000 students of International and Indian backgrounds studying around 95 diverse streams of learning. The university is planned to start intake of its first batch of students in 2009.

As part of the first Phase, we will build about 2.5 million square feet of academic buildings which include Humanities, Science, Engineering, Architecture, Business and Law colleges, the mail University library along with residences for about 3500 students and 700 faculty and staff. In Phase 1, we will also build the hospital with residences for staff, with the Medical College to follow subsequently.

Project
The hospital is envisaged as a 1600 bed teaching hospital which will be build in phases. An initial phase may comprise about 250 to 300 beds. The hospital should have super specialty streams which are needed both in the region and nationally. The hospital will have both paying and nonpaying patients, with the exact mix to be determined by the business model of building a self sustaining hospital.

Keeping all this in mind, we seek experts who can advise us on the way forward to make our Chairman’s vision into reality by helping us
a) Solidify our mission statement and also develop a business model for the same.
b) Provide us with detailed project report and space programs for the hospital and medical college.
c) Review the architectural plan for functionality and adherence to program.
d) Additionally we are seeking hospital design consultants who will develop building concepts and detailed architectural, structural and MEP drawings for tender. This would be a separate component.

Kindly let us know if your are interested in participating in this project. Interested parties may send us details of past performance in similar projects along with a list of key personals by 30th October 2007.

Thanking you
for Anil Agarwal Foundation

C. Joseph
Associate GM (Projects)

PS. Kindly send your reply along with necessary documents to

VU / Hospital / 10 /07
Vedanta University Project
C/o Anil Agarwal Foundation
232, Solitaire park
Andheri -Kurla link road.
Chakala, Andheri East.
Mumbai 400093
Phone +91 22 40058000
Fax +91 22 40058021
www.vedanta.edu.in

December 9th, 2007

Number of Medical Colleges established during the last three years in various states

The following table is from the PIB http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=32920.

State-wise list of medical colleges, which have been permitted by the Central Government for being, set up during the last three years i.e. 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08

November 21st, 2007

HSCC in charge of building the housing complex of AIIMS (like institute in) Bhubaneswar

Following is a PIB on this.

Lok Sabha

AIIMS like institutions are to be set up at six places in different parts of the country.   For the construction of medical college and hospital complex, the Design Detailed Project Report (DPR) consultants have been selected for all the six sites.  DPR would be available by May-June, 2008.

In so far as construction of housing complex is concerned, the bid process for selecting the turnkey developer was carried out for all sites.  However, only 2 bids were received, of which one was found responsive.  The work has been awarded to developer (M/s. Rajasthan State Road Development Corporation) for Jodhpur.  The work relating to construction of housing complex at Rishikesh and Patna has been entrusted to HLL and for Bhubaneswar and Raipur to HSCC, on nomination basis.  For Bhopal site, housing complex work would be awarded alongside with the hospital-medical college work.

The state-wise progress regarding construction of AIIMS like institutions can be seen at Annexure.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

KR/SK/166 – LS

ANNEXURE

November 21st, 2007

Not much progress on establishing a medical college in Rourkela

Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express.

The proposed medical college on PPP (public private participation) mode at Rourkela continues to be an election promise. In 2004, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced about it at a pre-poll rally.

Still there is no headway in the project as the government allegedly continues with its dillydallying attitude under the plea that the proposed site is disputed.

In the face of intense public pressure, while Rourkela BJD MLA S P Nayak assured to expedite the issue, a demand has gained ground that the proposed medical college and hospital be attached to the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH).

Reliable sources said earlier the project got delayed for two years as a clause made it mandatory for the private partner to accept the proposals for Rourkela and Balangir simultaneously.

After much persuasion one GSL Trust came forward to be the partner but later made a quiet exit. The 650-bed medical college and hospital envisages to have 150 medical seats in the initial year.

The project requires a minimum capital investment of Rs 100 crore. While the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) will arrange 25 acre cost-free land and Rs 10 crore, the rest fund would be raised through private participation.

Wasting much time in locating land, the WODC finally decided to use the surplus land of RGH. But, the local displaced persons staked claims on proposed site in court. A high-power committee is now looking into the project.

1 comment November 19th, 2007