Karra seeks IIT, IIM in Valley

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MP Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday demanded an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and a government engineering college in Kashmir so that the distribution of institutions in the state was equitable and justifiable.

Peoples Democratic Party leader and MP Tariq Hameed Karra waves to his supporters in Srinagar. Tribune photo: Amin War

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 24

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MP Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday demanded an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and a government engineering college in Kashmir so that the distribution of institutions in the state was equitable and justifiable.

The MP said while he would personally meet the Union ministers concerned to press for establishment of IIT, IIM and IIMC in Kashmir, the state government should also move a formal proposal in this regard.

In a statement issued here today, Karra said while the Jammu region was in its right to ask for another AIIMS for the region, the people of Kashmir also had the right to press for setting up institutions such IIT, IIM and IIMC which have been established in Jammu.

“The state government should also revive the proposal of setting up Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology (DAIICT), which was proposed to be set up at Ompora in Budgam district. The PDP-led coalition government had in 2003 decided to set it up at Ompora and land was also identified. However, the proposal was shelved in 2005 due to unknown reasons. The present government should revisit the proposal and establish a DAIICT campus in Kashmir,” he said.

The MP also demanded setting up of a separate government engineering college in Kashmir as there was no such facility available in the region following upgrade of the Regional Engineering College as National Institute of Technology.

“In the absence of any large industry in Kashmir, unlike Jammu, the economy of the Valley can witness a turnaround only by setting up quality educational and technical institutions here.

“In fact, Kashmir can come up as an educational hub by setting up various institutions in the Valley,” he said.

Karra said given the distinct geographical, climatic and political scenario of the state’s two regions, there has to be a parity of institutions in Jammu and Kashmir as disparities and inequalities in distribution of institutions and other key establishments only brewed mistrust and alienation.