Patna, Dec. 9: The Bihar government’s demand to set up the permanent campus of Central University of Bihar (CUB) at Motihari got a shot in the arm when the state Legislative Council, too, today supported its stand.

During discussion on a question raised by CPM MLC Basudeb Singh during the Question Hour today, Council chairman Tarakant Jha directed education minister P.K. Shahi to inform the Centre about the feelings of the Council on the issue.

The chairman expressed surprise over the Centre’s approach despite the Motihari residents’ willingness to give land for the CUB campus.

He said it would be an insult to the feelings of the people if the Centre does not allow the CUB campus to be set up in Motihari.

Earlier, while raising the question, the CPM MLC sought to know from the government about its stand for providing land for the CUB, as the Centre had been saying that Motihari was a remote place for setting up the campus and it would be difficult to make necessary arrangements for the university at such a place.

Replying to the question, Shahi said the government had made its stand clear to the Centre and the chief minister had written several letters to the Centre on this issue.

“In response to the latest letter sent by the chief minister to the Centre, Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal has said the Centre would get the matter inquired,” the education minister said.

Shahi went on to say though Koraput in Odisha was far more backward than Motihari, the Centre had opened a central university there. Still, it was not giving permission for setting up CUB in Motihari though it was well-connected by the east-west corridor and it also falls along the railway main line.