Gangtok: Sikkim’s Education Minister, Raju Basnet, has vociferously demanded immediate intervention from the Central Government to complete the permanent campus of Sikkim Central University (SCU) at Yangang. Highlighting the 17-year ordeal since the university’s establishment in 2007, Basnet lambasted the prolonged delay, asserting it has severely stunted the academic progression of students and poses a grave threat to the future of education in the Himalayan state.
Minister Basnet expressed his dismay that despite nearly two decades, SCU continues to operate from an assortment of temporary rented buildings scattered across Gangtok. This precarious situation, he stressed, is inflicting considerable hardships on students and faculty alike, impeding the holistic advancement of higher education in Sikkim. “This is simply not fair to our students. A proper campus is paramount for quality education. Seventeen years is an unconscionable wait,” Basnet asserted, describing the deferment as a matter of serious concern and questioning the Centre’s apparent lack of urgency. He further queried, “Despite Parliament passing a bill for the university and funds being sanctioned by the Government of India, why did it take an inordinate amount of time to hand over the land? Why is this being neglected despite repeated promises?”
The Minister also drew attention to the poignant fact that several individuals who championed the cause for the university campus have since passed away, their dream of a permanent institution unfulfilled. He lamented that the struggle for a dedicated university campus has spanned numerous governments over many years, yet the core issue remains stubbornly unresolved.
Basnet painted a grim picture of students attending classes in structures wholly unsuited for a full-time university, highlighting a severe deficit of proper classrooms, hostels, libraries, laboratories, and other fundamental amenities. “This delay is not just holding back education, but also the aspirations of Sikkim’s young generation,” he stated emphatically.
In a direct appeal, he urged the new Vice Chancellor of SCU, Professor Abhijeet Dutta, to accelerate the transition of the university to its permanent abode in Yangang. “We implore the support of academic experts and the university administration. Please make this a top priority,” he appealed.
Offering a glimmer of hope, the Education Minister disclosed that the state government is now making renewed efforts. He revealed that the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Center of Excellence is also planned, with a substantial budget already earmarked. He added that work is currently underway, and if all goes as planned, the first phase of the campus should be operational by the close of this year. “I will personally visit the site and inspect the progress. We have conducted similar inspections previously at Burtuk College and Denzong College. Infrastructure needs universal improvement. Discussions are also ongoing regarding the faculty shortage,” he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Professor Abhijeet Dutta, the Vice Chancellor of the university, provided an update on the campus’s progress. He acknowledged that construction is proceeding slowly, with approximately 74 per cent of the physical work and 72 per cent of the financial aspects completed. “Some departments have already relocated to the Yangang campus. However, numerous delays are attributable to permissions and approvals that are beyond our control,” he explained.