The proposal to establish a Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) learning centre in Jammu & Kashmir continues to remain in limbo despite its approval way back in 2016 by the Union Government.
Documents reveal that the proposal to establish the learning centre in Jammu & Kashmir was approved at a cost of Rs 51.32 crore in 2016.
“The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals approved the setting up of a learning centre at J&K in the Expenditure Finance Committee meeting with a total project cost of Rs 51.32 crore on a 50:50 sharing basis with the J&K State Government in 2016,” the documents state.
According to the records, the Government of J&K decided to accord in‑principle approval for setting up the CIPET Centre at ITI Zainakote, Srinagar, including land provision, but did not convey formal approval.
With no actual land allotment made for setting up the centre, the Government of India wrote several letters to the J&K administration seeking suitable instructions for the formal allotment of the ITI Zainakote premises to CIPET. However, there was no response from the J&K Government.
On January 12, 2021, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals requested an alternate site in Jammu based on industry feedback. It sought 10 acres of land near IIT Jammu since no progress was being made with respect to the proposed site at Srinagar.
Subsequently, the J&K administration proposed land at the Jagti site, but no further communication was received by the Department regarding it.
The purpose of establishing CIPET learning centre is to train local youth in petrochemicals, plastics, and polymer science, helping them gain skills for jobs in related industries—(KNO)
