The IIT Horata Samiti has urged the State government to send an all-party delegation to New Delhi to push for the long-pending demand for an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) for Raichur district.
Samiti president Basavaraj Kalasa alleged at a press conference here on Saturday that the State and Union governments were not keen on addressing the demand.
“The high-powered committee for redressal of regional imbalances headed by D.M. Nanjundappa had recommended setting up an IIT in Raichur. It should be implemented as the premier institute will help fight backwardness of the region,” he said.
Mr. Kalasa said that the former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar too had sent a proposal to the Union government.
“However, Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani, while replying to B.V. Naik’s question in Parliament, said that her Ministry had not received any proposal from Karnataka and it was not included in the 2014 Budget,” he said.
Mr. Kalasa said that exchange of letters alone would not push the demand forward, but persistent perusal and follow-ups would help.
“Higher Education Minister R.V. Deshpande had promised in the State Legislative Council that a delegation would be taken to New Delhi to peruse the demand. However, nothing has been done so far. We will meet the Minister on February 4 and pressure him to discuss the issue with the Chief Minister and ensure that a delegation from the State meet Ms. Irani and the Prime Minister before the presentation of the Union Budget,” he said.
