Even as a scramble has begun in the State over the venue of the newly announced IIT, Bharatiya Janata Party's state president Pralhad Joshi has urged the Chief Minister to chose a place in north Karnataka, preferably Dharwad, for it.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Mr. Joshi said the Union Government’s role was over after it sanctioned an IIT in Karnataka. It was now left to the State Government to choose its location and provide it land and other facilities.
“We urge Mr. Siddaramaiah to see that the proposed IIT comes up in north Karnataka. Dharwad is the most suitable place. Even the report submitted by eminent scientist U. R. Rao has suggested Dharwad for setting up the IIT,” Mr. Joshi said.
To a query he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani have clarified that such projects would be implemented in consultation with the State Governments and the Union Government would not interfere in their location. Although the HRD Ministry’s expert committee had powers to accept or reject locations suggested by a State Government, it may not reject a State Government’s choice, he added.
Asked about the previous BJP government recommending Raichur as the location, former Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar who was present said the intent of it was to reduce regional imbalances. However, when pressed to state if he supported the IIT in his home town, Mr. Shettar did not give a clear reply.
