KSHEC shelves permanent HQ project; returns leased land to KSSTM

…Planetarium campus at PMG. Former KSHEC member secretary Rajan Varughese criticised the decision, saying it raised questions about institutional continuity, financial commitments and the council’s future. “ It seeks to discontinue a government-sanctioned project after land had been allotted, construction had commenced and substantial institutional and financial commitments had already been made ,” he said. Prof. Varughese said the proposed building had been conceived as a state-of-the-art higher education facility capable of accommodating the council’s expanding academic, administrative, digital and…

…the concerns. He pointed out that the land had been leased to the council for only 10 years. Three years had already been spent on construction, while another two years would be required to complete the building. “ How can the land and building that we would hold for only five years be considered permanent? ” he asked. He added that proceeding with the project would also mean that the council would have to continue working from its existing dilapidated premises for another two years until the new building was completed.…