Maharashtra Government has earmarked Rs 10 crore for prestigious Laxminarayan Institute of Technology of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University. Te provision has been made in the Maharashtra budget presented on Friday.
The provision is a result of PIL (Public Interest Litigation) initiated in Bombay High Court, Nagpur Bench, by an alumnus of LIT. Through the PIL major demands are of autonomy to the institute and provision of Rs 200 crore by the government.
G D Yadav Committee, which was constituted to review the demand of autonomy to LIT and the infrastructure available. The Yadav Committee had recommended Rs 200 crore for the purpose. RTM Nagpur University raised demand of at least rs 50 crore for LIT and the Government has sanctioned only Rs 10 crore.
The alumni association of LIT is also raising funds for their Alma Mater. Recently an alumnus and industrialist Loksarang Hardas donated Rs 1.50 crore to the institute. The hearing on the PIL is not complete and the process it likely to take time.
Meanwhile the University has considered handing over a part of the institute to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technical University (BATU) for starting its Regional Centre. Such a step by the University may be in contravention to the conditions specified in the PIL and report of Yadav Committee.