Karnataka revives efforts to get IIT, another IIM

The state government has again started its exercise to get  an Indian Institute Technology (IIT) for the state.
This time, it is also pushing for one more Indian Institute of Management (IIM).

The chief minister’s office has asked the state higher education department to prepare a detailed plan for this.

The department, in turn,  has asked the state higher education council to prepare the proposal before October 4, 2012 when the state cabinet will meet in Gulbarga.
The details of the official communication between the chief minister’s office and the state higher education department are available with DNA.

When contacted, the higher education department officials confirmed the move.

“We have been directed to prepare a proposal which will be placed before the state cabinet meeting to be held in Gulbarga on October 4,” they said.

The letter from the chief minister’s office on September 18 states: “The government has decided to submit a proposal to the Centre to sanction an IIT and IIM. The issue is expected to come for discussion in the next cabinet meeting which is scheduled to be held on October 4. For this purpose, you are directed to prepare a proposal.”

The letter has even proposed the places where the institutions could be set up.

It has proposed the IIM in Gulbarga district, the political base of Union minister Mallikarjun Kharge, and the IIT in Raichur district.

After the cabinet discusses the issue, the state government will submit its representation to the Centre requesting for sanction of the two institutions .

However, sources from the chief minister’s office said: “Once it is cleared in the cabinet, we will discuss with all MPs, Union ministers and academicians from the state. Their effort is much needed for us to be successful in this purpose.”

Past efforts
The state has been trying hard to get an IIT since 1996.

However, the Centre rejected its appeals since the state already has an IIM, IISC and Central University.

In 2009, the Union ministry of human resources development agreed in principle to sanction an IIT for Karnataka under the 11th plan. Later, it took an about turn.

In 2009-10, many delegations met the HRD minister at the time and submitted memorandums in vain.

Once the state missed the IIT due to a  controversy over where it should be set up.

The government (Congress) at the time recommended the IIT in North Karnataka. But JD(S) MLA HD Revanna opposed it and wanted the IIT in Hassan district. As the dispute went on, the state lost the IIT.

A delegation headed by MLC MR Doreswamy tried for an IIT for the state in the 11th and 12th five year plans.
 On January 2, 2011, a delegation met M Veerappa Moily, the Union Law minister  at the time, and submitted a memorandum.