Latest news with #ManavRachnaInternationalInstituteofResearchandStudies
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Penalty burden eases on private university that built campus illegally in Aravalis
Gurgaon: The penalty on a private university for using over 13 hectares of protected forest land in Faridabad without full permission is likely to come down sharply after the Centre decided to apply its new, relaxed rules in the case. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Aravali land, located along the Badkhal-Surajkund Road, was protected under Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900. The university — Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) — used this land for construction before getting prior clearance, as mandated, under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. But after the FCA was amended in 2023, the campus became among the first to get post facto approval. During a meeting on June 12, the Union environment ministry's advisory committee recommended applying the 2023 forest rules for calculating the fine, replacing the stricter 2019 guidelines. Under the 2019 guidelines, the penal Net Present Value (NPV) — a form of financial compensation — was calculated from the actual date the forest land was used, with an additional 12% simple interest for each year of violation until payment was made. This meant that if an agency began using the land without formal clearance in 2019, it would incur a penalty for each subsequent year, significantly increasing the financial burden. However, under the revised 2023 guidelines, the Union environment ministry introduced a key change — penal interest would now be applied only from the date the penalty demand was officially raised, not from the date of the original violation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This adjustment substantially reduces the total payable amount in delayed cases. After this change was implemented, the Haryana govt sought clarification from the Centre on which set of rules should apply to the Manav Rachna forest diversion case, where the land was used before final approvals were granted. The state govt specifically enquired if the stricter 2019 rules or more lenient 2023 norms should govern the calculation of the penal NPV — a decision with financial implications. This query was a focal point in the June 2025 meeting of the forest advisory committee, where the ministry reaffirmed its Nov 2024 clarification in favour of applying the 2023 norms. Approval & penalty reduction: The Centre had granted in-principle approval for the land diversion on Dec 29, 2023, but also flagged that the university violated forest norms by starting work prematurely. The main query was how much the varsity should pay as a penalty (NPV) for using forest land without permission. This recommendation was made because construction of the university began in 1991, well before the 1996 cut-off date. Last year, Parliament revised the Forest Conservation Act (FCA), stating if construction occurred prior to Dec 12, 1996, the Act would not be applicable. Under the 2019 rules, the penalty would have been calculated from the year the land was first used — potentially as early as 2019 or 2020 — and would include 12% annual interest, resulting in a total fine of approximately ₹20 crore. However, under the new 2023 rules, interest is counted only from the date the fine was officially demanded, reducing the fine by 2.5 times — around 60% less than what the institute would have paid earlier. Activists flag green concerns: While the move provides relief to the university, it has raised concerns among environmental activists. They argued that it could encourage more illegal use of protected land, particularly in fragile zones like Aravalis. Former forest conservator (south Haryana) RP Balwan criticised the decision, stating it violates the Supreme Court orders from 2008 and 2019, which prohibit construction in the Aravalis. "The Centre, too, has acknowledged the protected status of Aravali land earlier. In 2008 and 2009, reports by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which guides the govt on key decisions, said the entire Aravali region of Gurgaon and Faridabad are prohibited zones under FCA and construction can only be allowed to install power lines and build village link roads. So, entertaining the FCA case is wrong, forget about reducing penalties," said Balwan. Activists also said reducing the penalty by 2.5 times sends a message that violations can be rectified with money, weakening forest land protection. Chetan Agarwal, a forest analyst, said, "The land in question is village Shamlat common land that appears to have been dubiously privatised. The govt should restore the land to the gram panchayat or Faridabad corporation in line with SC judgments in Jagpal Singh v. State of Punjab (2012) and Jai Singh v. State of Haryana (2022) and take possession of the buildings in public interest." He proposed that any forest clearance granted to Manav Rachna University should be provisional, subject to the outcome of ongoing or future ownership cases. What's next? Before receiving the final clearance, the university must fulfil several conditions. It should plant trees on an equivalent area of non-forest land (14ha), repair damage on 0.19 ha of encroached land, properly mark the diverted land with boundary pillars and comply with the Forest Rights Act and Environment Protection Act. Till these requirements aren't met, the land cannot be legally transferred to the varsity.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
In the rapidly changing global business landscape, here is an MBA that multiplies your possibilities
An MBA has long been seen as a gateway to career advancement, but in today's dynamic professional landscape, its value lies not only in acquiring business acumen but also in enhancing adaptability, confidence, and global readiness. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As industries evolve and employers seek multi-dimensional talent, programs offering dual specialisations are emerging as strategic choices. These allow for the exploration of complementary domains such as pairing Digital Marketing with Finance or Business Intelligence with International Business cultivating professionals with versatile expertise and global perspective. Contemporary management aspirants are increasingly drawn to programs that go beyond conventional learning. There is a growing preference for educational experiences that refine strategic thinking, broaden worldviews, and build readiness for leadership roles across diverse industries. Dual specialization MBAs meet this demand by offering a blend of academic depth and real-world relevance, preparing graduates not just for employment, but for impact. Today, students are looking for more than just a degree. They seek an experience that sharpens their vision, expands their horizons, and prepares them to lead across evolving business landscapes. The at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies (MRIIRS) stands out in this regard. Built on an industry-integrated, application-centric foundation, it allows students to pursue two specialisations from over 15 in-demand domains ranging from Marketing, Operations, and HR to Logistics, Healthcare, Aviation Management, and Business Analytics. The curriculum is shaped by real-world expectations, evolving business needs, and global benchmarks, ensuring that learners are always a step ahead. One of the distinctive offerings in this MBA program is the specialisation in Business Intelligence and Analytics in collaboration with SAS (India), where students gain hands-on experience with real-world datasets using SAS software. The program includes training by SAS professionals, access to a cloud-based SAS lab, and opportunities to earn up to three globally recognized SAS certifications, preparing students for analytics-driven roles in today's competitive landscape. Unique teaching-learning pedagogies such as course-wise expert sessions, outbound training, and one-on-one mentoring complement online certifications and classroom interactions, reinforcing outcome-based education. The AIMA BizLabbusiness simulation facility further enhances experiential learning by immersing students in simulated corporate environments that replicate real-world decision-making scenarios. Students benefit from the unique flexibility of crafting a personalised career path that reflects their strengths and aspirations. Whether they are drawn toward entrepreneurship, consulting, e-commerce, or analytics, the program allows them to blend creative and strategic skills with confidence. What enhances the global dimension of this offering is the institute's academic collaboration with KEDGE Business School, France which is one of Europe's most prestigious business schools. Through the unique Dual Degree MBA structure, students spend the first year at Manav Rachna in India and the second year at one of KEDGE's dynamic campuses in Marseille, Bordeaux, or Paris. The program offers 17 specialisations to suit diverse career aspirations and includes a six-month international internship, giving students real-world exposure in global business environments. Additionally, a complimentary French language course equips students with cultural and communication skills for seamless integration. Post-completion, graduates benefit from a 2-year stay-back visa, job and work permit opportunities in France, and enhanced international career pathways, making it a truly transformative learning experience. Experts discuss future of work at HR Roundtable 2025 Further strengthening the MBA program is the newly launched Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) NHRDN (The National HRD Network) Student Chapter, Haryana's first, at Manav Rachna. This chapter brings students under the mentorship of a Strategic Mentoring Board comprising seasoned veterans from sectors such as automotive, consulting, FMCG, manufacturing and education. These industry stalwarts bring with them a wealth of experience and insights, providing students with invaluable mentorship and exposure to contemporary HR practices. The board is poised to play a pivotal role in guiding learners, facilitating industry interactions and enhancing their readiness for the evolving corporate landscape. At its core, the program is designed to prepare business leaders who are competent, ethical, and globally aware. It incorporates soft-skills training, leadership development, business communication, decision-making, and team-building exercises from the very first semester. Students engage in live projects, rural innovation initiatives, and field assignments that bridge classroom concepts with practical execution. Admissions are merit-based and consider scores from national entrance tests like CAT, MAT, XAT, GMAT, or the Manav Rachna National Aptitude Test (MRNAT). Candidates are evaluated on a combination of academic performance, entrance test results, communication skills, and their performance in group discussions and personal interviews. As the global business environment grows increasingly complex and interconnected, MBA programs are evolving to meet emerging challenges. The modern MBA goes beyond traditional instruction, incorporating interdisciplinary learning, industry collaboration, and experiential projects. Such programs aim to develop professionals who are not only proficient in functional skills but also capable of critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and adaptive leadership in diverse contexts. Management education today is no longer confined to textbooks or traditional classrooms. It is evolving to reflect the demands of a world driven by innovation, technology, and global connectivity. Students now seek programs that offer flexibility, cross-disciplinary learning, and exposure to real business challenges. As a result, MBA offerings that blend academic depth with practical insight and industry relevance are becoming the preferred path for aspiring professionals aiming to lead with confidence and adaptability. Disclaimer: This article has been produced on behalf of Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies by Times Internet's Spotlight team
