Hopes of getting IIT rekindled

Karnataka may finally get its long standing dream of an Indian Institute of Technology, with the Union Human Resources Ministry indicating a sanction for the same.
Higher Education Minister R V Deshpande told reporters here on Friday: “I am confident that the HRD Ministry will sanction an IIT for Karnataka this time. They have given us an assurance on this after we offered to provide the required infrastructure.” The previous BJP government had made a similar proposal, but had not got a sanction.
Deshpande admitted that the Centre had earlier categorically stated that it has no plans to sanction any more IITs, as it is more interested in strengthening the existing ones. Karnataka also does not figure in the list of states where additional IITs are to be set up under the 12th five year plan. “But now, with the Centre’s assurance, our hopes are rekindled. I have instructed the officials concerned to present a proposal to the Centre on the issue and get it sanctioned as early as possible,” he said.
The location for the proposed IIT is either Raichur or Chikballapur, he said. Three years ago, there was a proposal to locate an IIT, if sanctioned, at the UVCE campus in Bangalore. Later, there was another suggestion that the location be Muddenahalli in Chikballapur.
On the proposal to set up Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Dharwad, he said: “The State Cabinet which met on Thursday  approved the proposal to set up the IIIT at Karnatak University, Dharwad, by earmarking 50 acres. A proposal will be sent to the HRD Ministry for the same. The university’s governing body, the syndicate, has already had given its stamp of approval for the IIIT.”
On appointment of vice-chancellors to VTU and Tumkur University, Deshpande said a search committee has been constituted for the VTU, while one would be set up soon for the latter.
Besides this, the Minister said efforts would be made to fill up over 1,100 teaching staff in all the state-run first grade colleges. The state government also has plans to develop 20 first grade colleges, including government and aided institutions.
“These colleges would be developed as model institutions by spending over `9 crore each,” he added.
On the unending controversies attached to the Karnataka State Open University, Deshpande said a high level inquiry had been ordered into its affairs.
Responding to questions on Governor H R Bhardwaj’s disinclination for the bifurcation plan of BU, Deshpande promised to convene a meeting of all stakeholders, including the teaching community, students and parents organisations soon to discuss it.
The Minister said the Education Department would get more funds in the new budget to be presented by the CM. “Economic problems should not come in the ways of core areas like education, health and poverty alleviation programmes,” he added.