In a major development, Maharashtra Government has in-principle approved a Rs 223,59,87,000 proposal of various construction works in Laxminarayan Innovation Technological University (LITU). The proposal, which included work of administrative building, buildings of various departments, workshop, mess building, laboratory and some other work was sent to the Government. The original proposal was of Rs 310.96 crore. It was given to Public Works Department for technical scrutiny. It was checked by PWD and then placed before a high level secretary committee. The committee approved Rs 223,59,87,000. LITU, as a university, came into existence a year ago in consonance with the National Education Policy 2020 and the policies of the State Government to create Centres of Excellence in niche areas to promote research, innovation, infrastructure and incubation for overall growth of the State. Accordingly, LITU asked RTMNU to vacate the campus.

 

As per earlier understanding, when the erstwhile Laxminarayan Institute of Technology (LIT) was the conducted college, the RTMNU’s Examination Department was housed in its premises. Some people raised doubt as to how LITU would raise finance. “Some had expressed their doubts as to whether without support from RTMNU it would survive. But we were confident about its growth. Against this backdrop, we got Rs 224 crore which is a good development. I am very happy and express my gratitude towards Government,” said Dr Atul Vaidya, Vice-Chancellor of LITU. In recent budget ,RTMNU too has given Rs 2.5 crore to LITU. As per the agreement, RTMNU had to give Rs 5 crore to LITU of which half was already given in the past.

 

The Departments of Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Rajiv Gandhi Bio-Technology Centre run M Sc courses and PhD research programs were under the administrative and academic control of the RTMNU. However, as per MoU, these have become the part of the LIT University. These departments were established on the LIT campus. “LITU has several plans including starting BTech course in Pharma Engineering, in addition to Chemical Engineering subjects. Secondly, this money will be utilised for construction and setting up other facilities,” explained Principal Advisor Mohan Pande.