Delhi Confidential: From Spain With Vote

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu on Monday was determined to take up all questions listed for Question Hour. He ensured all questions, and their answers, were crisp and to the point — no MP was allowed to make statements while asking questions. In fact, even ministers were not spared if their answers were lengthy. MoS for Information and Broadcasting Babul Supriyo wasn’t allowed to complete his answer, as he was taking too long. He was interrupted by Naidu thrice.

Seeking Funds

The second-generation IIMs, set up by UPA-II, have been requesting the government for more funds to finish building their permanent campuses. The HRD Ministry has released Rs 333 crore to each of the six second-generation IIMs in Ranchi, Rohtak, Raipur, Kashipur, Udaipur and Trichy. The institutes want more as Union Cabinet’s sanction for Rs 333 crore came in 2008, but the actual construction work began only in 2014 and, hence, the construction costs had also increased. Last month, IIM-Udaipur chairman and managing director of Zydus Cadila Pankaj Patel even met a senior official at the HRD Ministry regarding this issue. However, none of the institutes have heard anything on the matter even after that.