Bhagalpur: The state government scaling down the land to be acquired for the proposed central varsity in the name of Vikramshila Buddha Mahavihara from the original plan of 500 acres to 200 acres has touched a raw nerve.

On February 27, during the Assembly session, Congress MLA from Bhagalpur Town Ajit Sharma asked a question (no. 103) about the varsity.

In reply, the government said that on December 18, 2016, the Centre had requested 500 acres near Vikramshila from the state. It also admitted that the Bhagalpur district magistrate's proposal on July 11, 2017, had sought 500 acres. However, the government said, "since all land are raiyati (personal) and farm land, the state government will have to spent millions to acquire the high-price land, which is not possible. So the state has rectified the condition of the Centre for 500 acres and requested to provide 200 acres...."

The Vikramshila Nagarik Samity in Kahalgaon, around 275km east of Patna, has criticised the state's move.

"This is the Nitish government's tactic to damage the varsity's prospect," alleged Samity convener N.K. Jaiswala. "The state proposes to give 200 acres instead of 500 acres sought earlier so that the Centre rejects the project."