view in one page and print
a) Introduction
For the past one month, there have been heroic efforts by our IT-BHU community (including students, faculty and alumni) to get the IIT status for our institute. The movement started after the news media reports surfaced that the govt. may not go ahead with the plan to convert our institute to IIT. Not taking any chances and not taking “No” as an answer, they galvanized into action. From the movement, many leaders and unsung heroes emerged, but we shall talk about them later.
The entire movement was spontaneous, as there was not much elaborate planning and plan of action was created as per the prevailing situation. The movement was forceful but entirely peaceful. If students missed any classes, they used it for doing social work such as arranging for blood donation or teaching students in nearby slum area. The movement has obtained the desired results so far and our file has started moving in HRD Ministry building.
Our college started admitting students through IIT-JEE entrance exam from 1972. Our first hope about getting IIT status was in 1973, when central govt. decided to upgrade our college to IIT under Indo-East German collaboration treaty of 1970.
We hoe that govt. will consider our request for getting our college IIT status soon. This special report is divided into following parts:
a) Introduction
b) Status update for conversion process
c) Timeline of events
d) Decision of BHU Executive Council
e) Why we opted for IIT status?
f) FAQ about conversion
g) Media coverage
______________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
We have made some progress towards out goal for getting IIT status. The work done so far and further works ahead are listed as follows:
Goals achieved so far
* Created political and mass awareness and media coverage for our demand for IIT status
* EFC (Expenditure and Finance Committee) of HRD Ministry approved our plan
* Executive Council of BHU approved separation of our institute from the university, a step closer towards IIT status
* HRD Ministry reviewed the proposal and prepared it for further action
Goals to be achieved
* HRD Minister to sign the final paperwork and forward to cabinet committee for review
* Cabinet committee to review and approve the proposal
* Law ministry to review the proposal for inclusion into the amendment of IIT Act, 1963
* Parliament to approve the amendment of IIT Act which will include 8 new IITs as well as IT-BHU
* After parliament approval, govt. to send notification to the institute and the university to start preparation for completion of all pending formalities
* After getting confirmation from the university and institute, the govt. will publish a notification in Gazette India Extraordinary that IT-BHU is now IIT-BHU
* The institute is notified about the Gazette announcement by govt. The institute acknowledges the announcement and sends confirmation to the govt.
* The institute is now officially declared as IIT-BHU, with the same status, funding, rules and logo of an IIT
If everything goes as planned, our institute can become an IIT by October 2009.
Problems ahead
* The govt. can not resolve the tough conditions put forward by the university administration, of that retaining control over IIT-BHU. This may be impossible to achieve, as IITs are independent and autonomous institutes, answerable only to the Parliament and President of India.
* The campus decision is to be clearly stated. It is not known whether IT-BHU has to vacate the existing campus in Varanasi and move to Mirzapur campus; or whether it can retain part/full of the existing campus
* After general election, the govt. may change and the process of conversion will have to be started all over again.
_____________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
Here is the brief timelines of events. For details, please visit our website at: www.itbhuglobal.org
-March 28, 2008. The govt. announced the decision in a union cabinet meeting to convert IT-BHU to IIT.
-Feb 03, 2009.The Telegraph news reports hurdles for IT-BHU for IIT status (see media coverage, last article). It was also published in Chronicle January 2009 issue.
-Feb 07, 2009. A meeting of 1,200 students and 25 faculty members was held in G-11 Hall on our campus to review the situation and plan for direct action.
-Feb 08, 2009. Student marched to Lanka gate (outside university) and protested. Some students went on hunger strike on our campus. Rector met them and persuaded to give up the hunger strike and promised to issue press-release tomorrow.
-Feb 09, 2009. University issues a press-release stating support for conversion.
-Feb 10, 2009. About 100 students left for New Delhi for peaceful protests.
-Feb 11, 2009. More students (now totaling about 600 students) left for New Delhi.
-Feb 12, 2009. Few faculty members and girl students left for New Delhi.
-Feb 13, 2009. The team could not meet HRD minister due to his ill health, instead met HRD ministry officials.
-Feb 14, 2009. A group of representatives met Mr. Arjun Singh (HRD Minister) at the ministry’s office and held discussions. Earlier, 600 students visited Mr. Arjun Singh’s home in different batches and offered flowers for good wishes.
-Feb 14-19. Students in different groups continued meeting with different political leaders, including Shri Rahul Gandhi and about 200 other MPs and explained them about their request for conversion to IIT.
-Feb 20, 2009. EFC (Expenditure and Finance Committee) of HRD ministry approves the report submitted by the institute.
-Feb 21, 2009. BHU Executive Council held meeting to review govt. proposal. The council approves the proposal for separation of IT from BHU for conversion to IIT. The council also offers 500 acres of land at Mirzapur campus.
-Feb 26, 2009. HRD ministry prepares the files for conversion and forwards to Mr. Arjun Singh for signature. After his signature, the file will move to cabinet committee for review.
-March 02, 2009. The Election Commission announces general election. The elections shall be held in stages during April/May. The new govt. shall be formed on June 2. The first parliament meeting is expected in July.
_________________________________________
Meeting on Feb 7 in G-11 Hall on the campus
______________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
The Executive Council of Banaras Hindu University held a special meeting on February 21, 2009 to discuss the central govt. proposal to convert IT-BHU to IIT. The proposal included “separating Institute of Technology from BHU, convert it to IIT and integrate it within IIT system.” Five members of the Council (out of total 8) were present during the meeting and meeting was chaired by our VC, Prof. D. P. Singh. The govt. proposal was passed in the meeting with a simple majority.
The Council also made following recommendation to the centre (summary only):
(1) IT-BHU after conversion should be a part of BHU as well as should integrate with IIT in the country.
(2) IT-BHU after conversion to be relocated to Barkacha campus, Dist. Mirzapur. The BHU will remain as a corporate body for IIT.
(3) It has been proposed to offer 500 acres of land in South Campus, Barkacha. Also, it has been proposed to relocate IIT-BHU, Varanasi campus to Barkacha after appropriate time, say three years of its conversion into IIT.
(4) The university will nominate 2 of its members to the governing council of proposed IIT-BHU.
The Institute of Technology will retain ties with the university, by continuing faculty exchange with other faculties and developing joint research programs.
_____________________________
The Executive Council has 8 members as follows:
1. Shri Girish Karnad
Former Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Bangalore
2. Prof. C. D. Singh
Vice-Chancellor, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, M.P.
3. Maj. Gen. S. N. Mukherjee (Retd.)
Vice-Chancellor, Lakshmibai national Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, M.P.
4. Prof. (Ms.) Kamal Singh
Vice-Chancellor, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra
5. Prof. (Mrs.) S. Chooramani Gopal
Vice-Chancellor, Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Medical University, Lucknow, U.P.
6. Dr. D. S. Rathore
Former Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
7. Prof. Lakshman Chaturvedi
Vice-Chancellor, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh
8. Prof. S. B. Singh
Ex-Principal, Regional Institute of Education, Ajmer, Rajasthan
_____________________________________
More details about structure and power of BHU Executive Council can be found on the university website:
http://www.bhu.ac.in/bhuact/bhuact_chap212.htm#14.%20The%20Executive%20Council
http://www.bhu.ac.in/bhuact/bhuact_chap212.htm#15.%20Powers%20of%20the%20Executive%20Council
____________________________________
University issued a press release on February 9 stating the support by VC for conversion. Now all protests/demonstrations inside and around campus/city have been stopped for the time being. The press-release is copied as follows:
BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY
February 9, 2009
PRESS RELEASE
The Banaras Hindu University has been making desired efforts to get the status of I.I.T for its Institute of Technology (IT).
It is worthwhile to mention that Prof. D. P. Singh the Vice-Chancellor of the University met Hon'ble Shri Arjun Singh, Minister of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India at New Delhi on 7th February 2009 and requested him for the grand of I.I.T. status to the I.T.-B.H.U. The Hon'ble Minister assured him for the same. It is hoped that I.T. -B.H.U will get this status soon.
Chairman Press, Publication & Publicity Cell
______________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
We have been pursuing issue of converting our institute to IIT since 1973, since there are distinct benefits to become an IIT. The points are too numerous too count, however the following factors play a major role in our decision and conviction for the cause for an IIT:
a) The current infrastructure at our institute is in need for improvement. With becoming an IIT, we will receive more govt. funding.
To begin with, we will start receiving annual funding from the central govt. immediately. Currently our institute receives about Rs. 50 crores /yr. From next academic year, it will be at par with other IITs. IITs receive Rs. 110 crores/year on average, apart from Rs. 30-50 crores/yr as research funding. We shall also receive the first installment of approx. Rs. 500-600 crores towards infrastructure improvement.
Besides, we shall also receive additional funds to improve our infrastructure or to create a new one. The amount is to be decided, but it will be generous. With additional funding, we can build new hostels, lecture halls, laboratories, new engineering schools, faculty quarters, etc.
b) IIT is a powerful brand-image recognised world-wide on collective basis. By joining with the already established group, the image of our institute will further improve. We shall get more media coverage.
c) Faculty shall be benefited with move. Current the pay-scale of faculty is as per UGC (University Grant Scale) as applicable to central universities and other public institutes. After becoming an IIT, the pay-scale shall be as per IIT pay-scale, which is about 20-30% higher. Moreover, the teachers shall be able to join directly at Assistant Professor Level, instead of current lecturer and reader route, which sometime takes 10 or more years to achieve.
Academic Pay- Facts and Figures - study under IIT system.
http://www.iitg.ac.in/rajanmp/memo/Pay-Analysis.pdf
At the same time, all faculty will be required to get PhD qualification to continue. Currently we have about 85% of teaching staff with doctorate qualification, highest among non-IITs. By rule, all IIT faculty must have doctorate degree. The current faculty without PhD qualifications shall be encouraged to join PhD course at our institute or elsewhere. New recruitment shall be done for candidates with PhD degree only.
d) Each year IIT-JEE ranks of incoming students are falling. For the batch admitted in July 2008, the highest rank of the freshman was 1542. This is because students generally prefer IIT tag, and will join our institute only if they get better branch. After conversion to IIT, we shall be able to reverse the trend and will start admitting students with JEE ranks below 1,000.
______________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
(By: Yogesh K Upadhyaya)
The recent govt. announcement to convert our institute into an IIT has filled our hearts with joy. It has also created anxiety about the issue. The Chronicle has contacted the authorities to get the idea about the IIT news and process. We hope our readers will find it useful.
Please note that the information given here is correct at the time of publishing. It may change over a period of months. It is still not certain whether the conversion process will hit any road block or not. Also refer to our earlier FAQ published in March 2008 issue of Chronicle:
http://www.itbhuglobal.org/chronicle/archives/2008/03/faq_frequently.php
______________
Q-1: What does the current status?
According to information available with us, the Executive Council of BHU has agreed for the govt. proposal for separation of IT-BHU in preparation for conversion to IIT-BHU. HRD ministry has reviewed the documents and initiated process for conversion. The process has been stopped because of announcement (made on March 2) of general election for Indian Parliament in April-May. Also the govt. has to examine the BHU proposal in detail. It is to be seen how BHU can retain control over the institute and at the same time the institute can become IIT. Some way has to be found to this complex problem.
After the election is over, and the new govt. takes over at the centre, the process for converting our institute to IIT will resume. After approval by cabinet committee and passing the IIT Act Amendment Bill in the parliament and few other formalities, our institute will officially become an IIT.
Q-2: Where shall IIT-BHU be located?
The Executive Council of our University has recommended that the new institute be come at Rajiv Gandhi South Campus of BHU at Barkacha in Mirzapur district, about 40 KM from Varanasi. It has asked that IIT-BHU shall be shifted to the new campus within 3 years of passing the IIT Act, i.e. around later half of 2012. This is subject to further review and approval by the HRD Ministry.
Q-3: What will be new name of our institute after conversion?
After completion of all formalities and approval, our institute shall be called “IIT-BHU, Varanasi”. This is to reflect the emotional attachment to our University and our desire to continue collaborating with other faculties (Science, Medical, Management, Law, Agriculture, etc.).
Q-4: Will it be an IIT?
It will be exactly same as other IITs. It will have same funding, same brand image. Except that it will be still nominally a part of BHU. It will have financial, academic and administrative autonomy similar to IITs. It will be part of league of all established and new IITs. It will have exactly same standard of curriculum, same pay scale for faculty, even same logo as that of IITs.
After separation from BHU, our institute will still maintain ties with the faculties of the university. It will continue faculty exchange programs with other faculties and continue conducting research program jointly.
Q-5: What about administration?
The institute shall have the same mode of governance as that of IITs, including the post of Director and Registrar. However, the University will nominate two representatives to our Governing Council.
This is because we have emotional ties with our university since the inception of our college in 1919. It is unthinkable that our university can be separated from its only engineering college.
Q-6: What will be the conversion process?
The conversion of our institute into an IIT is a complex political process, involving incorporating it into the IIT Act and also modifying BHU Act. More details are provided in a separate article “Status update for conversion process”.
Q-7: How long the conversion will take?
Since the present UPA (United Progressive Alliance) lead govt. at the centre supports our conversion, the process will be a smooth ride after it is elected back to the power. Moreover, opposition parties (BJP, BSP) also support our cause for conversion.
If everything goes as per the plan, our institute may become an IIT by October 2009. Till that time, we shall continue to be known as IT-BHU.
Q-8: What are the benefits of becoming an IIT?
Benefits of becoming an IIT are too much to list. Please refer to our special article “Why we opted for an IIT status?” on this page.
______________________________________________________________________________
view in one page and print
Following is the selected media coverage on the issue of conversion of IT-BHU to IIT. For more media coverage, please refer to our website: www.itbhuglobal.org.
_____________________________
1) IIT conversion news in Dainik Jagran (Hindi) dated March 03, 2009
http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/epaper/index.php?location=40&edition=2009-03-03
English Translation:
IIT-BHU issue under hold
The issue of granting IIT status to IT-BHU has come to a stand-still. The centre has clearly indicated that due to demands put forward by BHU administration, it is nearly impossible to grant it IIT status. Still, due to forthcoming parliament election, govt. hesitates to say clearly no to BHU administration. According to sources, HRD Ministry is not agreeing to the proposal put forward by BHU administration for converting IT to IIT. Still, that proposal has been forwarded to the technical committee.
A high ranking official from the ministry stated that it is difficult to grant this institute IIT status under BHU administration. HRD ministry found two major problems in the request sent by BHU administration. In the recent request received from BHU for granting IIT status to IT-BHU, the emphasis was laid on the fact the proposed IIT shall work under BHU administration. According to official of MHRD, this is not possible since IITs are independent and autonomous, and it will not be proper to have interference from other institutes.
Apart from that, pay-scales for teachers of IITs are different than those of central universities. Hence it will create problem while bringing both (the groups of teachers) under one administration.
Apart from this, in the request from BHU for IIT, there is demand to make new brand IIT-BHU in a 500-acre plot, away from the current campus. MHRD is also facing problem on this issue. Ministry says that in that way, we shall have to set up brand new IIT for Varanasi. If it is implemented, then UP will have two IITs; while as per the policy for 11th plan by planning commission, new IITs or IIMs shall be set up only in those states which does not have any institute.
It appears that people of Banaras will have to wait little more for IIT.
______________________________________________________________________________
2) BHU blow to IIT plan-in The Telegraph dated Feb 28, 2009
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090228/jsp/nation/story_10603745.jsp
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Feb. 27: Banaras Hindu University’s executive council has refused to part with the engineering wing, dealing a blow to the Centre’s plans to grant it IIT status.
The council has sent the HRD ministry a resolution rejecting the proposed separation of the Institute of Technology from the BHU, necessary for IIT status. The resolution comes less than a week after the BHU vice-chancellor had assured the Centre the separation was possible.
The council has, instead, raised visions of a new IIT coming up in Varanasi. The executive council, supreme in matters of policy, has suggested handing over 500 acres to the Centre to build a new IIT.
Failure to grant IIT status to IT-BHU, as promised by the Centre last year, will upset the students, now agitating against the delay on campus.
___________________________________________________________________________
3) BHU ready to break a wing for IIT tag
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090225/jsp/nation/story_10587521.jsp
CHARU SUDAN KASTURI
 |
IT-BHU: Awaiting elite label
New Delhi, Feb. 24: The Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has told the Centre it is willing to lose its engineering wing to allow the institute’s conversion into an IIT.
Under pressure from agitating students who fear the promised IIT tag may prove elusive, the BHU has written to the human resource development ministry saying it has no objections to a cleavage from its Institute of Technology (IT), The Telegraph has learnt.
The UPA government last year announced plans to start eight new IITs and convert the BHU wing, IT-BHU, into an IIT.
But concerns raised at a January 28 meeting of the IIT Council that a separation from IT-BHU would hurt the university, one of India’s oldest, led to the government temporarily shelving the promised conversion. The concerns were first reported by The Telegraph.
Nuclear scientist R. Chidambaram, member of the Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisory Council, had argued that IT-BHU must retain its link to BHU.
“Our letter to the HRD ministry, we hope, will help clarify concerns that arose as a consequence of the delay in the upgrade of IT-BHU into an IIT,” a BHU official said.
A copy of the letter has also been sent to IT-BHU, where students went on protests against the ministry’s move to place the promise of conversion in deep freeze.
Vice-chancellor D.P. Singh is also learnt to have verbally communicated the university’s support for the upgrade at a meeting with HRD minister Arjun Singh last Friday.
Over a hundred students from IT-BHU have been camping in Delhi since February 10, petitioning top politicians across party lines to pressure the government into fulfilling its promise. “We didn’t ask for an IIT tag. But once the government has promised, it is duty-bound to convert IT-BHU into an IIT,” said Saurabh Kumar, a first-year computer science student.
Kumar and his friends have met Rahul Gandhi and Digvijay Singh from the Congress, BJP chief Rajnath Singh and CPM leader Brinda Karat. They plan to meet railway minister Lalu Prasad, too.
“Each day, we spread out in groups to meet as many MPs as possible. By night, we have to look for a roof over our heads,” said Vikas Kumar Pandey, a second-year electrical engineering student.
Several of his classmates, Kumar claimed, had joined the institute under the impression that the conversion would come through.
Many chose IT-BHU over the six new IITs started last year because of the institute’s pedigree, coupled with the confidence that their degrees would bear the IIT stamp, Kumar claimed.
______________________________________________________________________________
4) Demand for IIT status for IT-BHU gets boost
Press Trust of India / New Delhi February 20, 2009, 14:17 IST
The process of upgrading Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU) to a full fledged IIT has gathered momentum after the HRD Ministry prepared a detailed proposal on the issue.
The Ministry of HRD has prepared a detailed proposal for approval of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) for converting IT-BHU into an IIT.
"The EFC note is ready. After EFC clearance, it will be sent to Cabinet for approval," a senior ministry official told PTI here.
About 500 alumni, students and teachers of the institute recently came to Delhi and launched a campaign in support of their demand. The students and teachers met HRD Minister Arjun Singh, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and about 120 MPs and apprised them about their demand.
They were assured that their demand would be fulfilled very soon, Puneet Bindish, an alumni, said.
The government has started six new IITs in the current session, while it will start two others in 2009-10 session. IT-BHU will be an addition to the list if it is given the IIT status.
IIT status for IT-BHU has been long standing demand of the institute. Earlier, S K Joshi committee in 2003 had recommended that seven technical institutions, including IT-BHU and Zakir Hussain College under AMU, should be upgraded to IITs.
The government has been mulling over the proposal for long, but no decision was taken yet.
Meanwhile, students from Zakir Hussain College under Aligarh Muslim University have demanded IIT status for their institute. They are of the view that it is a premier college and has played a pioneering role in promoting technical education in the country.
______________________________________________________________________________
5) Rahul Gandhi
assures BHU-IT students of early IIT status
http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2009-02-19/508980news.html
Varanasi, Feb 19: The Congress General Secretary and MP Rahul Gandhi has assured the Institute of Technology- Banaras Hindu University students that their demand of IIT status for IT-BHU will be fulfilled very soon.
The students of the Institute who returned here after meeting him at New Delhi on Wednesday told media that Gandhi heard them patiently and assured that he will try his best to get the bill granting IIT status to the Institute placed before the parliament in the present session itself, however he added that it was a little too late this time.
Gaurav, a student who met Gandhi claimed that he was already aware of the issue and promised to get the bill through the parliament or get the status through even a government notification if the passage of the bill was not possible in the present brief session.
Chetan, another student of the delegation said, "We have met several top bureaucrats, ministers and politicians at New Delhi to achieve our goal and we are hopeful that now the issue could not be at least shelved."
The students and teachers who visited the capital said that the IIT amendment Act is pending in the Law Ministry for certain clarifications and as soon as it gets law ministry's clearance it may get the government's final nod.
Meanwhile the Director of the IT-BHU, Prof S N Upadhyay said that the delay in granting IIT status to the Institute is making the students restless.
____________________________________________________________________________
6) Joshi asks BHU V-C to pursue IIT issue
19 Feb 2009, 2115 hrs IST, TNN
VARANASI: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Rajya Sabha member Murli Manohar Joshi has written a letter to vice-chancellor of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Prof DP Singh, requesting him to take appropriate initiative for the conversion of the Institute of Technology (IT) into the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
In his letter dated February 19, 2009, Joshi claimed that he had raised the issue in the Raj Sabha and also taken account of the situation at government-level from the secretary, human resource ministry, RP Agrawal. He was told that the Cabinet had not issued any formal directive for the conversion of IT-BHU into IIT, but approved in principle.
Joshi's letter further stated that he had also requested the secretary to take necessary action in the present session, but due to time constraint it would not be possible. The secretary, however, informed that the ministry could take initiative if BHU formally sent a proposal for the conversion.
It may be mentioned here that Joshi is contesting the forthcoming Parliamentary election from Varanasi seat.
Demanding IIT status, the students of IT-BHU had observed hunger strike recently. They had called off their hunger strike after the intervention of the university administration. However, they had continued to pursue the matter. The Union Cabinet had, in July last, given nod for the setting up of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The Cabinet had also approved in principle for the conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT and integrating it with the IIT system of the country.
___________________________________________________________________________
7) Prof. M. M. Joshi raises the issue of IIT in the parliament dated 17 Feb
http://www.zeenews.com/nation/2009-02-18/508199news.html
Excerpts:
Raising another issue, senior BJP member Murli Manohar Joshi made a demand for upgrading of the BHU Institute of Technology to the status an IIT. He said while the Centre has opened new IITs, the recommendation of an expert committee on BHU-IIT has not been fulfilled.
___________________________________________________________________________
8) Arjun Singh urged to speed up conversion of IT-BHU into IIT
http://www.hindu.com/2009/02/15/stories/2009021559780400.htm
Parul Sharma
Sunday, Feb 15, 2009
Students are trying to build up pressure by meeting Members of Parliament |
Say it with flowers: Students of the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, outside the residence of Union Minister Arjun Singh in New Delhi on Saturday to request for conversion of their university into IIT.
NEW DELHI: A number of students from the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, are here in the Capital seeking support to ensure implementation of the Union Cabinet’s decision on giving the institution new status equivalent to the Indian Institutes of Technology.
In July last year the Union Cabinet had approved, in principle, the conversion of IT-BHU, a constituent unit of Banaras Hindu University, into an IIT and integrating it with the IIT system in the country. With the Centre still not having acted on it, a delegation from IT- BHU headed by its Director S. N. Upadhyay met Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh and senior officials of the Ministry here on Saturday to request them to speed up the process.
“Mr. Arjun Singh said that the Ministry is working on the process. He told us that whatever needs to be done by the Ministry will be done. He was quite positive. He assured us that the commitment will be fulfilled,” Dr. Upadhyay told The Hindu on Saturday while on his way back to Varanasi. “We have requested Mr. Arjun Singh to try to expedite the process within this Parliament session, which would be the last session of Parliament for the present UPA Government,” he added. Meanwhile, students of the institution are trying to build up pressure by meeting Members of Parliament and other influential people discussing their concern with them. “According to recent news reports, the Government is apparently planning to shelve the decision for conversion of IT-BHU to IIT. Since such a decision will affect a large number of students, we are protesting against it,” said Praharsh Sharma, one of the students currently in Delhi. “A number of students had gathered outside Arjun Singh’s house on Saturday to give him flowers as he is not keeping well. We have formed small teams to speak to different MPs about our cause,” he added.
___________________________________________________________________________
9) IIT conversion news in Dainik Jagran (Hindi) dated February 13, 2009
http://in.jagran.yahoo.com/news/local/uttarpradesh/4_1_5235929.html
English Translation
Ministry sent ball into BHU court
Feb 13, 11:22 pm, Varanasi
The discussion about converting IT-BHU to IIT took a new turn on Friday. Explaining the technical problem in converting IT to IIT, the HRD Ministry has sent ball back to university administration’s court.
The representatives of students and teachers from IT-BHU, including Director Prof. S. N. Upadhyay which went to Delhi for discussion with HRD Minister, Mr. Arjun Singh were saddened by the outcome. According to the phone conversation with students from Delhi, because of ill health, the representatives could not meet central minister. Later on, his assistant Jaideep arranged a meeting of students and teachers with HRD secretary Aarti Agrawal. According to students, the secretary informed that because of technical difficulties, there is problem in converting IT-BHU to IIT. It includes issues about research publications, funding, etc. BHU has to overcome these technical problems and complete other formalities. Sources told us that the faculty representatives assured the secretary that the formalities shall be completed soon.
On the other hand, students said that an attempt shall be made on 14 Feb to meet central minister Mr. Arjun Singh. It is necessary to apprise him of the ground situation. Apart from it, the work on meeting government officials and leaders connected with central govt. shall be continued to put a pressure on the demand.
_______________
Situation is not disappointing-Director
Varanasi: Prof. S. N. Upadhyay, Director of IT-BHU who has gone to Delhi told us on Friday over phone that the situation is neither encouraging nor disappointing. Many issues are in fluid situation. After discussion with Ministry the work is progressing. Files have started moving. There are issues about amendment of BHU Act and with Finance Committee, which shall be overcome soon.
______________________________________________________________________________
10) BHU-IT students end stir, demand for IIT status to continue
10 Feb 2009, 2128 hrs IST, TNN
VARANASI: Though the students of the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU) have called off their hunger strike after the intervention of university administration, they do not want to sit at rest until their institution gets the status of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
It may be mentioned that the IT students came on the streets on February 7 to raise their demand and a group of them went on hunger strike on February 8. Later, they called off their agitation after getting assurance from the university administration that efforts were being made to get the status of IIT for IT.
"If our demand is not met (according to the commitment of the UPA government), we will take this matter all over the country and make it a national issue," the students said, requesting not to expose their names because it may hurt their academic prospects. But, we feel cheated by the government. "The faculties and the university administration are with us, but the government is not giving any positive indication," said one of them.
It may be mentioned that the union cabinet in July last had approved the setting up of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The cabinet also approved in principle approval for the conversion of IT-BHU into an IIT and integrating it with the IIT system in the country.
In their appeal to PM Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, the IT students are trying to draw their attention towards the facts associated with the IT-BHU. `When the government of India is announcing opening of new IITs, we the students, research scholars, faculties of IT-BHU are feeling totally aloof and outdated,' reads the appeal. It further states that 'this institute, not an IIT as far as the funding of the government is concerned, still is ranked much higher than many of the IITs producing maximum number of research papers and works in the national and international journals. The IT has already been admitting students on the basis of IIT JEE and GATE since 1971,'it read.
____________________________________________________________________________
11) BHU students call off hunger strike over IIT status
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200902091611.htm
Varanasi (PTI): A day after beginning a hunger strike demanding IIT status to their institute, the students of Institute of Technology, BHU called it off with authorities assuring them that the Centre's proposal was "not shelved."
A BHU spokesman told PTI that the students sitting on an indefinite hunger strike called off the stir this afternoon as a University delegation assured them that the process of upgrading was underway and that the Centre had not shelved the proposal. Classes would resume on Tuesday.
Vice-Chancellor D.P. Singh said university had not been informed in writing about any development in this regard. However, the proposal was not shelved till date.
The VC said he had spoken to Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh, who denied media reports suggesting shelving of the cabinet decision to upgrade the IT.
On Sunday, the striking students had marched through many parts of the city causing traffic jam for more than three hours at busy market areas of Lanka, Sankat Mochan, Durgakund, Jawaharnagar and Bhelupur and sat on an indefinite hunger strike.
The new batch of students alleged that the Centre failed to implement its decision, though they had joined only after the Union Cabinet decided to upgrade the IT-BHU to IIT in last July.
_________________________________________________________________________
12) Presentation made by MHRD at EDITORS’ CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL SECTOR ISSUES- 2009 on Feb 4.
http://pib.nic.in/archieve/ecssi/ecssi2009/hrd.pdf
(Page 35 mentions IT-BHU conversion is slated from academic session 2009-2010.)
TECHNICAL EDUCATION
1. Eight New Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) during XI Plan:
The Union Cabinet, on 17.07.08, approved the establishment of eight new IITs in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Orissa, Punjab, Gandhinagar, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (Indore). Academic session 2008-2009 has been started by admitting about 120 students each in B. Tech. courses in new IITs in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Orissa, Punjab and Gandhinagar by forming societies. These will be mentored by the existing IITs in Madras, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Delhi and Bombay respectively. IIT Himachal Pradesh and IIT Indore in Madhya Pradesh will be mentored by IIT Roorkee and IIT Bombay respectively.
Creation of two new IITs in Himachal Pradesh and in Madhya Pradesh (Indore) and conversion of Institute of Technology–Banaras Hindu University (IT-BHU) are proposed from the next academic session 2009-10. An allocation of Rs.2000 crores has been provided in the XI Plan. Entire amount of Rs. 50 crores provided in B.E-2008-2009 has been released.
___________________________________________________________________________
13) IIT tag eludes Banaras tech school
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090204/jsp/nation/story_10482942.jsp
CHARU SUDAN KASTURI
 |
Banaras Hindu University-Upgrade hurdle
New Delhi, Feb. 3: The Centre plans to shelve the promised upgrade of Banaras Hindu University’s engineering school to an Indian Institute of Technology, citing opposition from the IITs’ top decision-making body.
The upgrade was opposed last week at a meeting of the IIT Council by R. Chidambaram, member of the Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisory Committee, government officials have said.
Now, the human resource development ministry plans to cite the opposition to freeze the transformation of one of India’s best and oldest engineering schools into an IIT.
The ministry had prepared a note seeking the expenditure finance committee’s clearance for the upgrade but is now likely to argue that the plan be kept in abeyance, a top ministry official said.
The committee’s clearance is a precursor to seeking the mandatory approval from the cabinet. The ministry, the official added, has no plans of approaching the cabinet.
The Institute of Technology, BHU (IT-BHU), has admitted students based on the IIT Joint Entrance Examination since 1971 and is widely regarded as the best government engineering college after the IITs. But at the council meeting, sources said Chidambaram argued the government was opening too many IITs together — six were started in 2008 and two more are planned in 2009.
Chidambaram also argued that IT-BHU was a crucial component of the varsity, the sources said. Separating it would hurt the university, he said.
A decision to backtrack from the promised upgrade is, however, unlikely to please Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayavati, now opposed to the ruling UPA. Mayavati is learnt to have written at least once to HRD minister Arjun Singh voicing concerns over the delay in the upgrade.
Early in 2008, first the Prime Minister and then Arjun had announced the government was starting eight new IITs besides converting the IT-BHU into an IIT. But in July last year, when the cabinet cleared starting eight new IITs, it did not take a decision on IT-BHU.
Today, a senior IT-BHU administrator questioned the opposition to the upgrade. Officially, BHU has not opposed the separation of IT-BHU, required for the conversion, he said.
______________________________________________________________________________
Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi 221005, UP