This story is from February 6, 2020

Karnataka: KPCL to fund construction of IIIT Raichur

The state government has decided to build the International Institute of Information Technology in Raichur on a public private partnership (PPP) model, but rather than partner with a private player for the purpose, it has decided to rope in Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), its wholly owned subsidiary.
Karnataka: KPCL to fund construction of IIIT Raichur
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BENGALURU: The state government has decided to build the International Institute of Information Technology in Raichur on a public private partnership (PPP) model, but rather than partner with a private player for the purpose, it has decided to rope in Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), its wholly owned subsidiary.
KPCL MD V Ponnuraj confirmed the corporation’s involvement and said it is likely to front Rs 19 crore.
"KPCL has a considerable presence in the district and it was decided that our involvement in setting up a world-class institute would be ideal," Ponnuraj told TOI.
Based on recommendations of the state government, which pushed for a world-class institution in Kalyana-Karnataka, a backward region, the Union ministry of human resources development sanctioned the IIIT in Raichur in January 2018.
However, two years on, the first batch of students is working out of the IIT campus in Hyderabad as there is no sign of the Raichur campus. Earlier this year, the government decided to move the college to a newly constructed block on the government engineering college campus in Raichur.
"We have almost completed the new block exclusively for the IIIT, but it will be a temporary one," said Raichur deputy commissioner R Venkatesh Kumar. He said 65 acres has been allotted to the IIIT trust.
The problem for the state has been funding. It would require about Rs 75 crore to establish the new IIIT and the cash-rich KPCL will be the government’s industry partner.
Ponnuraj said KPCL will provide assistance in civil engineering and other aspects and in return it will be accommodated on the IIIT Raichur board. Meanwhile, the state will contribute Rs 45 crore over a period of four years beginning next fiscal and will allocate Rs 11 crore in the first year. The project is expected figure in the state budget to be presented on March 5 by chief minister BS Yediyurappa.
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About the Author
Sandeep Moudgal

Journalist by profession, 15 years in the field with Politics and Policy as forte. He is an Assistant Editor with Bengaluru bureau and Karnataka as his jurisdiction. Has a Masters degree in Ancient History and Archaeology from Mysore University along with a PGDJ from the Asian College of Journalism.

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