After an official announcement by the Centre that there is no proposal to sanction an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to Karnataka, the State government has decided to make another attempt, by proposing a public-private partnership (PPP) model in Chikballapur district.
The ground-level preparations for the proposal are in progress at the state Higher Education Department. Official sources in the department confirmed it.
“Union Ministry for Human Resource Development (MHRD) clarified that there is no plan for an IIT in the 12th Plan. Following that we are planning to propose a PPP model,” the sources said.
Officials of the Higher Education Department are going to have discussions with the Minister soon.
“We are writing to bigwigs in IT, education and other industries in the state and inviting them to discuss the matter,” said the sources.
According to officials, if anybody agrees to invest, then the proposal for an IIT on the PPP model will be sent to the MHRD.
“The State government can provide land. For infrastructure, we need investors and at least Rs 500 crore is needed for the basic infrastructure. If the state can manage that, we can appeal to the Centre for the rest of the funds,” the officials said. If anyone comes forward to invest in IIT, the State government is ready to name it after the investor.
At least Rs 1,000 crore is required to establish an IIT and 100 acres of land is needed.
According to officials, there is no dearth of land in the State, ‘’but we need to find investors’’, they said.
However, the officials confirmed that even if people come forward to invest and the proposal is accepted by the MHRD, they cannot interfere in the administration and other matters.
“If they want, we will give them a prime position in the governing council. But they are not allowed in the regular administration of the institute,” the sources said.