Following Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s announcement to set up Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Karnataka, the competition among several districts here to have the premier institute in their respective districts has apparently stiffened.
While the districts of central and south Karnataka including Hassan and Mysore are reportedly trying hard to get the Centre, two districts of north Karnataka — Vijayapura and Bagalkot — too have thrown their hats in the ring. Interestingly, the Union government has so far not zeroed in on any district in the State to set up the IIT. Meanwhile elected representatives of twin districts here who are batting for the IIT, say that their respective districts deserve an IIT as they are socio-economically backward districts.
“Surely, on the merit basis, Vijayapura deserves to have the prestigious institute. This district, which is one of the most backward districts in erstwhile Bombay-Karnataka region, should be considered for the IIT by the Union government,” said, M.B. Patil, District in-charge and Water Resources Minister. Speaking to The Hindu , he said that he, along with the MLAs of the district, would put pressure on the government to make sure that the IIT is given to his district. To a question, he said that adequate land and any required facility would be given if the IIT comes to Vijayapura. Ramesh Jigajinagi, the MP of the district, in a statement has also shared similar opinions. He said that rural students would get an encouragement if the IIT is established in Vijayapura. Meanwhile, the IT/BT and Bagalkot district in-charge Minister S.R. Patil too has assured to grant land in his district for the institute.
He has said that the district has the facilities that an IIT needed. It is yet to be seen which district would get the chance in the end.
