Bihar – Always the Bride's Maid, Never the Bride

http://www.patnadaily.com/news2007/nov/111407/nine_new_polytechnique_colleges.html
(news on Patna Daily about opening IIT,IIM and an IISER in Bihar")
Patna: Nov. 14, 2007

After their continued resistance to the idea of opening an IIT, an IIM, and an IISER in Bihar despite growing demand for such schools in the state by the students and academic community, the Central government has given the green signal to open 9 poly-technique colleges in the region at the cost of Rs. 12 crore.

While the response to the Central Human Resources Ministry's to open poly-technique institutes in Bihar ranging from lukewarm to apathy, the state government, in letters to the District Magistrates, directed them to identify and mark 5 acres of lands in appropriate locations so the work could begin on their buildings without further delay.

The proposed nine colleges would be opened in East Champaran, West Champaran, Katihar, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Madhepura, Araria, Supaul, and Madhubani, state Science and Technology Minister Dr. Anil Kumar said adding the government would maintain control over the institutes.

While the Central government would pay for the construction of the buildings and the campuses, the state government would be responsible for running them on a daily basis and footing all the teaching and other expenses, Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the fate of an IIT, IIM, or an IISER in Bihar remains fuzzy at best and unlikely in the worst scenario given the Center's aversion to raise the standard of higher education in Bihar.