The Patna University administration stood divided over allocation of land for setting up a National Dolphin Research Centre on the varsity premises.

The difference in view came to the fore a week after Patna University syndicate rejected the proposal of providing two acres of varsity land for the purpose.

According to sources, the varsity administration is divided over 'controlling power' of the forthcoming research institute. Three years ago, when the state government contemplated to set up the country's first dolphin research centre for making a detailed study of the endangered Gangetic dolphins, it was decided that it would be set up in Patna near the Ganga.

The Centre would carry out research on dolphins and also find out ways to conserve their dwindling population in the state.

For setting up the institute, the varsity administration would provide land. The National Dolphin Research Institute would be an autonomous body having all administrative powers and it would have no interference from the Patna University in its administrative functioning.

Last week, when the land allotment matter came up before the syndicate members, the body refused to do it claiming that the university can't lease out its land to some foreign institution. The man behind setting up the research centre is none other than Patna University zoology head and state's dolphin task force chairman Ravindra Kumar Sinha.

Sinha said: 'When the syndicate rejected the proposal, I was not present in the meeting as I am not a syndicate member. I also don't know on what grounds the idea was rejected but I hope there will be no problem in setting up the research centre.' Though the centre will be an autonomous body, Patna University teachers and officials will be part of the governing body. 'Students carrying out research and training would get degrees from Patna University and above all the varsity students would be eligible for research at the centre,' added Sinha.

Sources said the administration is interested in setting up the institute and vice-chancellor Y.C. Simhadri has even made up his mind to allot the land. But the VC office is yet to give confirmation on the issue. For setting up the centre at the PU campus, the state cabinet had cleared the proposal according to the recommendation of the wild life council.