(a) whether the Government proposes to upgrade Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute, Puri as the National Centre of Excellence with the status of a deemed University;
(b) if so, the details thereof including any agency entrusted to prepare a feasibility report in this regard; and
(c) the time by which the said upgradation task is likely to be completed?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)
(a)&(b): Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute (BPNSI), was set up in Puri, Odisha by the Ministry of Steel on a pilot basis as a Training Institute catering to the secondary steel sector. The Government proposed to upgrade the existing Institute to a National Centre of Excellence. For this purpose, an Expert Committee was constituted to suggest a roadmap for upgradation of BPNSI. As a follow-up action on the Report of the Expert Committee, a Task Force was also constituted. Considering the fact that the project envisages a huge investment of Rs.1170.00 crores as capital investment and Rs. 541.00 crores as recurring expenses per annum where the funding is to be shared amongst Govt. of India, State Govt. of Odisha, CPSEs of Steel and Mining sector and private sector, MECON was entrusted to submit a techno-feasibility report on the project as suggested by the Task Force.
(c) There is no time limit for the said upgradation.
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