Centre stopped IIT-M from opening Gujarat branch: Modi

NEW DELHI: Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi has alleged that the centre has forced IIT Mumbai not to open its extension branch in the state, even as the state was providing land free of cost besides extending other benefits.

He also said Yojana Bhawan should not ‘actively participate in party politics’ and should restrict its role to development of the country.

The Gujarat CM’s allegations came at a meeting convened by the planning commission to finalise 2007-08 annual plan of the state.

According to state government sources, Mr Modi expressed his displeasure at the ‘discriminatory approach’ of the centre even though the state is ‘leading’ in industrial growth and ‘contributing enormously’ towards economic development of the country.

Gujarat CM’s outburst came as the proposal for extension centre at Gandhinagar was pulled back amid pressure from the centre and state government. IIT-Mumbai was approached by the Modi-government to set up a campus in Gujarat after Maharashtra had refused to give land.

However, Mr Modi alleged that under pressure from the centre, the institute shifted its preference back to Maharashtra. Mr Modi claimed that Gujarat deserved IIT more than Maharashtra that already had one.

subhash.narayan@timesgroup.com