'Austin University' lacks resources to invest USD 42 bn in UP
Official says MoU inked with Austin Consultancy Group and not varsity
Washington/Lucknow, Dec 22: The "Austin University" in California, which signed a MoU recently with the Uttar Pradesh government to build a USD 42 billion 'Smart City of Knowledge' in the state, apparently lacks the know-how and resources to do so, publicly available information indicates.
In a statement issued on December 18, the UP Government said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the "Austin University" in the presence of Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, former minister Sidharth Nath Singh, Additional Chief Secretary for Infrastructure and Industrial Development Arvind Kumar.
The "Austin University" is different from the prestigious University of Texas, Austin, which is one of the largest institutions of higher studies in the US and is home to thousands of international students from India.
To be built on 5,000 acres of land at a cost of USD 42 billion, the Knowledge City will include the best universities of the world, according to the statement.
Reacting to questions on the status of the "Austin University", Additional Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar clarified that the MoU has been signed with the Austin Consultancy Group and not with the Austin University and so there is no need to look into the details of the university.
"It is only a proposal and detailed scrutiny is not done at this stage and it's also not required. We have neither allocated land or made a commitment of subsidy and other facilities at this stage. As and when they provide us with more details, we will keep on facilitating their investment proposal," Kumar told PTI on Thursday while responding to controversy surrounding the MoU.
"They have come up with the proposal to undertake the 'Smart City of Knowledge' project in the state and we have welcomed it with thanks," he added.
"It (MoU) is a formal letter of acknowledgement of the proposal to give them some confidence in the government support," said Kumar, who was part of the state government's delegation to the US to invite investment into UP.
The Internal Revenue Services or IRS does not have "Austin University" among its list of recognised universities or that of higher education. There are no records that Austin University has any students, faculty, or paid employees.
"Austin University" also does not figure in the list of approved or registered list of universities maintained by the US Department of Education.
The address of the university mentioned on its website is a building which also has addresses of several dozen companies, according to publicly available records at CorporationWiki.
"This institution is not approved by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to participate in Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and is not authorised to issue I-20 visa, therefore this institution cannot accept applications from students from abroad who are on an F-1 or M-1 visa. This institution does not offer any visa services and will not vouch for a student status," says the students hand book.
San Francisco, US | UP Govt signed MoU with Austin University for a US$ 42 Bn project-Austin Smart City of Knowledge, in UP
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 18, 2022
UP Min Suresh Khanna, ex-min Sidharth Nath Singh, Addl Chief Secy, Infrastructure & Industrial Development Arvind Kumar&others were present on the occasion pic.twitter.com/lUXLDQ7W1v
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Kharge has put 'full stop' to leadership speculation in Karnataka: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said AICC chief Mallikarjun Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue of leadership change in the state.
Kharge's statement has a lot of significance and there ends the matter for now. Everyone in the party should respect and accept this, he said.
Parameshwara was referring to Kharge's statement on Thursday that there was no chief minister change in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state will be resolved soon.
Kharge's statement came amid speculation within the party and political circles about a possible decision on leadership change and cabinet reshuffle after May 4, once the results for assembly elections in four states and one union territory, along with bypolls to two assembly segments in Karnataka, are announced.
"Mallikarjun Kharge is our party's national president. He has a lot of experience. Several people, including me, have said that in the case of change (in leadership), if he (Kharge) comes (as CM), no one could speak in front of his experience and everyone would accept it. While replying to it, Kharge said that there is a chief minister now, and there is no question of change as of now," Parameshwara said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "I welcome his (Kharge) statement because I feel he has expressed his opinion after a discussion involving him, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala (both AICC general secretaries). I may be right or wrong. I feel that his statement has a lot of significance. So that matter ends there for now."
Responding to a question on repeated statements by several party leaders regarding leadership change, the home minister said, what the AICC chief has said on the matter is final. It should be respected and accepted by all in the party. There is no meaning in interpreting it further.
"I cannot respond to what others say, but I can say my opinion. In my opinion, the AICC chief is the supreme authority in the party. He, along with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, are our high command. If the high command has said something, we should both respect and accept it. There ends the matter," he said.
Kharge has put a "full stop" on the issue, he further said, adding that, "When he has said there is no change. It is a full stop."
Responding to a question on Parameshwara's recent statement about Kharge becoming chief minister, the AICC chief on Thursday said, "You (media), he (Parameshwara), and people at the top say that it is better if I become CM. But more than fate, as per my ideology and my service to the party so far, Sonia Gandhi makes decisions regarding me."
He had further said, "But that question does not arise now. There is already a CM here. If Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and I together have to take any decision in that direction, it will take some time. Let's wait and see."
Kharge on Friday too said no date has been fixed yet to discuss a possible leadership change in Karnataka.
Supporters of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have been insisting on his elevation in line with a reported power-sharing agreement with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah when the party won the 2023 Assembly elections. Some have even claimed that "sweet news" is expected by May 15, which is Shivakumar's birthday.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by a reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
