AICTE to revise scheme for PPP polytechnics

The AICTE has established a committee to revise the scheme for setting up polytechnics in the public private partnership (PPP) mode, this was informed by the Shashi Tharoor, minister of state for human resource development.

Shashi Tharoor said the government had approved a scheme to offer financial assistance to establish 300 polytechnics in the PPP mode during the 11th Five Year Plan period (2012-17).

Tharoor said, “However, the response of the private partners to the scheme is poor.”

He said, “The AICTE (The All India Council for Technical Education) estimated the total cost to be Rs 15 crore per polytechnic, excluding land. The scheme provides for Rs 3 crore central government fund towards capital assets, Rs 2 crore by the state government and a minimum of Rs 10 crore by the private partner.”

He further added, “The land is to be provided by the private partner; alternatively, the state government will provide land. The admissions are to be made under the aegis of state government based on the procedures being followed in the state. Appointments will be made by the Institute Management Committee.”