Sambalpur: The state government's decision to encourage research work on language is yet to materialise at Gangadhar Meher University.
Although the varsity had sought financial assistance of Rs 2.02 crore for research and to set up three chairs in the name of prominent personalities of west Odisha, there has been no response from the state government in the past five months.
In a special cabinet that met under the chairmanship of chief minister Naveen Patnaik in Puri, the state government decided to provide special grant for establishment of a chair and research work on language. But it has not been implemented, said educator Sankar Prasad Pati.
The varsity has specially opened a research cell. In it's syndicate meeting, the varsity authorities had resolved to initiate research on freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai, social worker Parvati Giri and poet Gangadhar Meher. In this context , the vice-chancellor wrote to the state government on November 25, 2017 but is yet to get a reply. It has suggested to conduct research work for three years for which it sought Rs 66.30 lakh on Gangadhar Meher, Rs 66.33 lakh for research on Parvati Giri and Rs 69.40 lakh for research on Veer Surendra Sai.
"The government should take steps to implement its own decision," Pati said and asked at a time the government was encouraging universities outside of Odisha.
Reacting to the issue, former vice-chancellor of Berhampur University A.P. Padhi said there had been instances of sanctioning money for research work on Fakir Mohan Senapati to an university outside the state.
"At the same time, it is essential for research work on Gangadhar Meher and the establishment of a chair in the Odia department of GMU. The poet might have primary education, but his writings are included in postgraduate departments of various universities," he said.
Gangadhar Meher University is the second biggest and oldest educational institution of the state that started in 1944 as Sambalpur College. It was later named after the famous poet Gangadhar Meher. The government accorded its university status in 2015.
