Updated on: Wednesday, September 02, 2009
New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Karan Singh requested the Centre to consider setting up a Central University in Kashmir region in addition to the one proposed
for Jammu as such a facility was becoming a "bone of contention" between the two parts of the state.
If this is not possible, the UPA government could allot the proposed Indian Institute of Management (IIM) to be set up in the state to Kashmir region, he said in a statement here.
'The controversy regarding the proposed Central University in Jammu and Kashmir has become yet another bone of contention and is already assuming an agitational character,he said.
He pointed out to the Amarnath agitation which saw loss of lives and property besides affecting the state's economy and said any new agitation should be avoided. It was necessary to sort out the matter before it assumed alarming proportions.
'It would be ideal if the Government, as a special case, sanctions two Central Universities for the state. But, if this is not possible, we should take the advantage of the recent announcement regarding opening of an IIM for Jammu and Kashmir,' he said.
On the location of a Central University in Jammu, he said having it close to Jammu might detract students from the Jammu University which has developed well over the last few years.
He suggested that the ideal location of the new University in Jammu region would be Bhadarwah-Kishtwar region.