Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has requested HRD Minister Smriti Irani to reconsider setting up of the IIT at Raichur instead of the proposed Dharwad as the venue.

Earlier this month the Centre had given its decision of setting up the first IIT of Karnataka in Dharwad. The decision made the district of Dharwad happy and politicians from Hubballi-Dharwad were given the credit for bringing the IIT, however, on the other hand people in Raichur were disappointed and protested against the government’s decision of choosing Dharwad over Raichur.

CM Siddaramaiah was attacked by several organisations in Raichur for not giving them the privilege of hosting an IIT.

However, BJP leaders Pralhad Joshi, Jagadish Shettar and HN Ananth Kumar, all from Hubballi-Dharwad credited themselves of getting the IIT sanctioned to the district.

In his letter to the HRD ministry, Siddaramaiah has stated that the state government had shortlisted Raichur, Mysuru and Dharwad for the IIT. He said that he felt that as it was decided recently that Dharwad would host an International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), the proposed IIT had to be set up in Raichur.

He further stated that Raichur was the district headquarters located in the Hyderabad-Karnataka backward region and enjoyed a special status under Article 371-J of the Indian Constitution, hence it would be an ideal spot for the IIT, which would also help in balanced regional development.

He concluded saying that the state would extend all necessary assistance and cooperation in establishing the IIT at Raichur.

(Agencies)