State makes another bid for IIT

The Cabinet on July 18 cleared a proposal seeking Central government approval for starting an Indian Institute Technology (IIT) in Raichur.

In a written reply to Congress MLC, Mahantesh Shivanand Koujalagi, the Minister for Higher Education R V Deshpande, said the State government has already approached the Union Minister for Human Resources Development (HRD), seeking his approval.

Department officials said Deshpande had met the HRD minister, Kapil Sibal, earlier this month, to submit a memorandum on behalf of the State.

However, while several such attempts were made by the previous governments, the Centre has not responded favourably. However, considering the new government and the upcoming general elections in 2014, sources in the department speculate that it may be possible that the centre will give approval “in-principle”.

Following the approval, a special committee from the HRD will inspect the proposed site of the institute.