Mumbai: The state cabinet on Wednesday approved setting up of a chair in the name of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, at the famous London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in London. It was also decided to provide scholarships for doctoral studies in the name of Dr. Ambedkar through the chair. The state govt will give a lump sum of around Rs. 37 crore for the establishment of the chair.Officials said the aim of establishing the chair is to make the work of Dr Ambedkar reach the international level, and to create a world-class research center for the study of social justice, constitutional democracy, economic equality and human rights based on his ideas.“The chair will promote interdisciplinary research on subjects such as Constitution and Democracy, Social Equity, Economic Democracy and Redistributive Policies, Labour Rights and Social Protection, Federalism and Public Finance, Inclusive Governance etc. The objectives of the chair will be to conduct advanced research in Constitutional Studies, Social Justice and Public Policy, organize annual lecture series, seminars and academic programmes, promote academic publications and research on Democracy and Inclusive Development, and enhance academic collaboration between researchers from Indian and international institutions,” offcials said. According to officials, in the first ten years, the Chair will be selected from the existing faculty of the institution. “Thereafter, recruitment will be made through an open selection process at the international level in the future. The possible departments for the Chair will be Philosophy, Sociology, International Development, Governance, Law and Social Policy,” the officials said.An MoU will be signed with Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Research and Training Institute (BARTI) and LSE to implement the scholarship program. The state cabinet meeting approved the signing of this agreement, followed by the final agreement and obtaining other necessary permissions.
