(iii) Need to set up an engineering College and an IIT at Berhampur, district Ganjam. Orissa.

[English]

SHRI GOPI NATH GAJAPAATHI( Berhampur): Orissa has not made much progress in the field of education. The South-

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em Orissa comprising the district of Ganjam, Phulabani, Koraput and now created Gajapathi and Malkangiri lag behind the rest of the Orissa in educational facility. Not a single engineering College has been established in the entire Southern Orissa. The students who want to undergo higher studies in engineering have to go to Rourkela or Burla which are about 400 to 500 Kms. from Berhampur. As such many poor but meritorious students are deprived of going for higher studies in engineering. There is a tremendous scope to establish and expand engineering studies in Ganjam district. The growing demand for engineering studies with infrastructural facilities like a lot of open space, mines and marine resources for field work etc. justify that an engineering college and an IIT should be set up at Berhampur. Besides, Government of India has been laying great stress on the promotion of vocational and technical education Berhampur university is the only university in the country without engineering college. I urge upon the Government that a full-fledged engineering college and an IIT should be set up at Berhampur in Ganjam district, Orissa during the 8th plan period.