Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Nov 2: Even as only three months are left for the All India Science Congress, which is being hosted by the Jammu University for the first time, key arrangements for the mega event are getting delayed.
Controversy over mode of tendering is delaying allotment of job works while raising of funds in crores for organizing the five-day event is another big challenge before the University authorities, sources informed the Excelsior.
Out of approximate budget of Rs 33 crores for organizing the Science Congress, Jammu University has only Rs one crore in its kitty so far, sources added.
In respect of tendering and allotment of job works, sources further said, zero progress was registered during the entire month of October as the concerned University authorities failed to reach at a consensus over the mode of tendering.
Pertinent to mention here that for the first time in its history, Jammu University is going to host the All India Science Congress in next February. Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is likely to inaugurate this 101st All India Science Congress, which will be held from February 3 to February 7 and attended by around 12000 Science experts from all over the country as well as abroad.
President Pranab Mukherjee is likely to be the chief guest in the valedictory function while former Presidents Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil, several Union Ministers, Governors and Chief Ministers of different State are also expected to grace the mega event, which is organized every year by Indian Science Congress Association- biggest body of Sciences in the country.
Though the organizing committee has tentatively selected the venues for holding different activities of the Science Congress, there is no progress on major arrangements like foods, transportation, accommodation, tenting and printing etc.
For allotment of these job works, the managing committee had invited Expression of Interest on August 14 and formal notification in this regard was issued in the local as well as national newspapers.
It was followed by short listing of the participating firms and the entire process was completed by September 25.
However, sources said, since then no progress in this regard was made as a major controversy erupted over the mode of tendering. A powerful lobby in the University is now learnt to be insisting for open tenders instead of Expression of Interest for the reasons best known to them while the same is being opposed tooth and nail by others at the helm of affairs.
The situation can be gauged from the fact that there was zero progress over the tendering issue during the entire month of October while the scheduled Science Congress is approaching nearer.
According to the sources, the president of Indian Science Congress Association, Prof R C Sobti, during his marathon meetings with the JU authorities on October 4, 5 and 6 for discussing the Science Congress arrangements, had also expressed his displeasure over delay in finalizing the things.
Similarly, raising of adequate funds for making the event impressive and successful seems to be another headache for the University, which has so far failed to receive the same from different agencies, including the State Government. Major contribution of Rs one crore has so far come from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, only, sources said.
When contacted, the JU vice-Chancellor Prof M P S Ishar said that the University has fully geared up for hosting the mega event and the things were moving in right direction for successful conduct of the Science Congress.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel