Nitish takes umbrage at Sibal's letter

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today took umbrage at the Centre taking a "unilateral" decision in setting up a central university in Gaya when the state had requested to locate it at Motihari in East Champaran district.

Reacting to Union Human Resource Development minister Kapil Sibal writing to him informing about a central university being set up at Gaya, Kumar told reporters, "We want the central university should come up in Motihari, considered as the workplace of Mahatama Gandhi, and for which the state government is ready to provide free land."

"We will not allow any forceful terms and conditions being laid down," he added.

Sibal, in his letter to Kumar, said the land had been identified at Panchanpur near the Gaya international airport.

"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 wrote.

The Chief Minister said, "It will deal a blow to people's sentiments in Bihar.... the Bihar government will never agree to the Centre's decision to set up central university in Gaya." Kumar said if the Centre wanted the Bihar government's cooperation in setting up a central university, it should accept its proposal for setting it up in Motihari. MORE PTI AJK PC