Karnataka request for shifting IIT from Dharwad to Raichur

Updated on: Monday, September 21, 2015

iit Two weeks after Dharwad in Karnataka got the Centre's nod as the location for Karnataka states first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the state government appears to have put a spoke in its wheels. In a delayed response, CM Siddaramaiah of Karnataka has written a letter to the Union ministry for human resource development (HRD) to reconsider its decision and locate the premier technology institute in Raichur, Karnataka. Raichur is the state's most backward district and moreover, Dharwad has already been sanctioned an IIIT (Indian Institute for Information Technology).

This move has put a question mark over IIT future in Dharwad and raised concerns over the state government's support in establishing the institute there.

In a letter to Union HRD minister Smriti Irani on Sunday, Siddaramaiah requested her to set up the IIT at Raichur, the state's most backward district. He wanted the sanctioned IIT from Dharwad to be shifted to Raichur because Dharwad has already been sanctioned an IIIT.

Siddaramaiah's change of mind might surprise many, but not in political circles. Party sources said Siddaramaiah was happy with the choice though personally he wanted the institute to come up in his home district Mysuru. But he had no option after a delegation led by Leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha M Mallikarjun Kharge met him on September 17 requesting him to recommend IIT for Raichur, Karnataka.

Another reason, according to some BJP leaders, is the saffron party was hogging the limelight for getting IIT to Dharwad. "If there is a change, the Congress can claim credit for it," they added.

All said and done, the CM's letter could prove to be a big blow for Karnataka dream of having its first IIT. Predictably, protests have begun in Dharwad, Karnataka. "Chief minister Siddaramaiah's letter to seek reconsideration of the location will jeopardize the chances of IIT being established in the state.

He also recalled the decision to set up IIT at Dharwad was taken by a joint committee which included state higher education minister secretary Bharat Lal Meena. Already preparations were on for the IIT in Dharwad and my party leaders H N Ananth Kumar and Pralhad Joshi are already trying to get a fertilizer unit in Dharwad," he added. He said the team which visited the three places had finalized Dharwad on its merits mainly because Dharwad had a makeshift institute (Walmi) to start IIT from next academic year,

But people for Raichur are hopeful that HRD ministry will consider the proposal sent by the government. "A high-power committee for redressal of regional imbalances headed by DM Nanjundappa in 2002 had recommended an IIT for Raichur to facilitate growth in the district. Both Mysuru and Raichur have already some prestigious institutions.

Karnataka request for shifting IIT from Dharwad to Raichur

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