Uncertainty shrouds launch of Dharwad IIT

Hubballi: The ambiguous stand of the State government about the venue to set up Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the functioning of the premiere institute from next academic year. The Dharwad district administration has not yet received any communication from the higher education department about the space required for establishment of the institute.

Due to this, the officials have not taken up renovation of the Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), where the institute will come up, despite nearly two months after the Central government has approved IIT for Dharwad.

The state government incurred wrath of the people from Hubballi-Dharwad after the Chief Minister wrote a letter to the Centre seeking to consider Raichur as location for setting up of IIT.

Trying to downplay the controversy during his visit to Dharwad, Siddaramaiah said that he will stand by the decision of the Central government over the venue and also promised all cooperation to set up the institute. But BJP leaders contend that the Chief Minister has not given the clearance to the files put up before him by the higher education department to facilitate Dharwad district administration to take up renovation of the space required for the transit campus in WALMI.

They have expressed concern that the funds allotted by the Centre for IIT may be transferred to other States if Karnataka government failed to come up with clear stand on its venue and withdraw the letter written to the human resource ministry.

"The principal secretary of higher education department has already put up relevant files on the Chief Minister's table. Siddaramaiah has to give approval for further action about measurement of required space and renovation of WALMI building. Human resource ministry needs at least 6 to 8 months to make all preparations including several appointments to start the institute. The State government's attitude will not only delay the process to start IIT and transfer of funds, there is a chance of losing the institute", said Arvind Bellad, the MLA of Hubballi-Dharwad west.

Maintaining that the district administration is awaiting official communication from higher education department to start renovation of the space required for IIT. Deputy Commissioner Rajendra Cholan said that he is ready to hand over the building within 2 months if the State government approves it.

The public works department has merely conducted assessment of the WALMI building which has around 132 acres campus with administrative faculty and residential building with demonstration farm. The site selection team had finalised the venue for the institute as it is remained unused and available for immediate handover.