Aurangabad: The proposal for setting up the School of Planning and Architecture is gathering dust at the Centre's table because of the alleged tug of war between two ministries. 

There are confusions regarding the authority over the SPA between the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) and the ministry of urban development (MoUD). 

The setting up of SPA in Aurangabad was announced in the annual budget of 2015-16. Funds worth Rs 10 crore have lapsed due to non-utilisation. 

As per reports, the MoUD has argued for control over SPA citing its focus on construction activities, and handling of flagship government schemes such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Smart Cities Mission. 

MHRD, led by Prakash Javadekar, is believed to have opposed the move, which has reportedly received the cabinet secretary's backing. 

Sources in the education department said that the proposal for setting up the SPA at Aurangabad was already approved by the state government. 

The ball is now in the Centre's court. The alleged dispute over control may have delayed the approval. However, no official communication has been made regarding the matter, sources said. 

Ajay Thakur, former president of the Aurangabad centre of Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), said that his correspondence with the MHRD as well as the prime minister's office (PMO) regarding the status of proposed SPA went unanswered. 

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