By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government yesterday handed over to the Aligarh Muslim University, the land acquired for the off-campus centre of the University in Malappuram. Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan handed over the documents of the land to Prof PK Abdul Azis, Vice-Chancellor of the AMU, at the function held at the Muscat Hotel in Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief Minister praised the representatives, officials and the people of Perinthalmanna who made it possible for the fast acquisition of the land. Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy praised the government for its zeal in acquiring the land. Education Minister MA Baby presided over the function.
Classes will begin in the centre in the beginning of the year itself, said the VC. The admission procedures will be completed by January 15 and MBA classes will begin in the third week. Facilities including library, hostel for boys and girls, etc have been made ready. The AMU plans to begin other courses within one year by completing the construction of buildings and other facilities. Prof Azeez also congratulated the state government and the people for the fast acquisition and handing over of the land.
The off-campus centre of the AMU in Malappuram is one among the five centres the University is setting up in the country. Chelamala village in Perinthalmanna was selected for the construction of the centre and 121.76 acres of land was acquired initially. The land was bought by the government for Rs 15.50 crore from 103 families, according to reports. This land was handed over to the AMU in the first phase in March. In the second phase, 214.23 acres of land was acquired from 176 families, spending Rs 26.37 crores. This land was handed over to the university on Tuesday. The state has handed over 335.99 acres of land in 16 months. Now the government has to hand over 6 more acres for the construction of the approach road.
Chief Minister, Opposition Leader, Ministers Paloli Muhammed Kutty, MA Baby and KP Rajendran, V Sasikumar (MLA, Perinthalmanna) and Kuruvila John (Higher Education Principal Secretary) were presented mementos of the AMU by the VC. ET Muhammed Basheer and Nalakath Sooppi (former Education Ministers), Abdurahman Randathani, PK Abdurabb and KT Jaleel (MLAs), MC Mohan Das (Malappuram District Collector) and Basheerali Shihab Thangal also attended the function.