Amarnath Patil, Bharatiya Janata Party MLC from North-East Graduates Constituency, accused the State government of creating confusion over the establishment of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) granted for Karnataka. He was addressing a media conference at Reporters Guild here on Thursday.
“Despite repeated appeals from the people of the Hyderabad-Karnataka region to propose Raichur alone for establishing the IIT, the State government sent two more names — Mysuru and Dharwad — to the Union government, creating confusion and hopes among the people across the State. The State government still has time to rectify its mistake. It should immediately send a fresh proposal recommending only Raichur for the premier institute,” he said.
Mr. Patil said that the State government had ample reasons to justify its recommendation for establishing IIT in Raichur. “Dr. D.M. Nanjundappa panel report on regional imbalances has clearly recommended IIT for Raichur. The State Cabinet, during Jagadish Shettar’s tenure as Chief Minister, in its Kalaburagi meeting, had unanimously resolved to recommend IIT for Raichur. Based on these facts, the State government should have proposed Raichur alone for the establishment of the institute,” he said. Mr. Patil said that there was no difference of opinion in the BJP State unit for supporting the demand of IIT for Raichur.
