State urges Centre to send team to decide IIT location

Raichur, Mysuru, Dharwad are the choices

Minister for Higher Education and Tourism R.V. Deshpande on Friday called on Union Minister for Human Resource Development Smriti Irani in New Delhi and requested her to send a team to assess the suitability of three locations identified by the State for setting up the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

In a memorandum to the Union HRD Minister, the State has recommended three locations — Raichur, Mysuru and Dharwad — for establishing the IIT.

Speaking to

The Hindu after a meeting with Ms. Irani, Mr. Deshpande said he appealed to the Centre to send the team at the earliest.

The Centre, in consultation with the State, will decide on the location of the institute. The State will grant land for the institute, he said.

Asked whether Bengaluru would get the IIT, he said: “I cannot say anything now. Only after the team’s visit to Raichur, Mysuru and Dharwad, the fourth location will be considered.”

The State has also demanded that the Centre sanction a Kendriya Vidyalaya at Hutti Gold Mines in Raichur district, one of the backward districts in north Karnataka.

Ms. Irani promised to look into the matter soon, he said.

The State has also demanded release of funds under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and the UGC arrears.