Bihar houses adopt resolution on central university

PATNA: Both houses of Bihar legislature today adopted unanimous resolutions asking the Centre to establish a Central university at Motihari after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took umbrage at the Union government's 'unilateral' decision in setting up the varsity in Gaya.

The Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution moved by Speaker Uday Narayan Choudhary asking the Centre to establish the university at Motihari in East Champaran district.

Later the legislative council also adopted a separate resolution unanimously in support of the demand.

Kumar earlier took umbrage at Union Human Resource Development minister Kapil Sibal writing to him informing about a central university being set up at Gaya.

"You had expressed your difficulties in acquiring land proximate to an urban location and keeping this in mind I approached my colleague A K Antony, the Minister for Defence, for identifying suitable defence land near an urban agglomeration that could be spared for this purpose," the letter said.

"The defence ministry has been kind to identify land at Panchanpur near Gaya. I am informed that the land is proximate to the Gaya international airport," it said.

"The land has been inspected and recommended by a site selection committee for establishment of a central university. While the formal transfer of land is to take place, I thought it fit to keep you apprised of these developments," Sibal said.

The chief minister said he would approach the defence minister challenging the 'unilateral' decision of transferring the land for university in Gaya without the consent of Bihar.