Prime Minister promises IIT for Kerala

Updated on: Saturday, February 12, 2011

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh indicated that the Centre would sanction an Indian Institute of Technology for Kerala.

"I know that state has demanded an IIT. I am sure that aspiration will become a reality," he said, inaugurating the 'Kerala Development Congress' here.

Highlighting several projects sanctioned by the UPA government for the economic, social and educational development of Kerala, he said Rs 475 crore has been earmarked for development of Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi under JNNURM programme.

Other projects were a new Central University at Kasaragod, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research and Indian Institute of Space Education and Research in Thriruvananthapuram, while a campus of Aligarh University was coming up in Mallapuram, he said.

In investments in the Defence sector, Singh said Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd was setting up a new strategic electronic plant in Kasargod, while Bharat Earth Movers Ltd has set up a new unit for manufacture of products for defence, railway and metro in the state with a total ivestment of Rs 260 crore.

The Prime Minister also referred to Kerala's achievements in the social sector, saying the state has the lowest incidence of poverty among major states in the country. Women's empowerment, especially their socio-economic condition deserves special mention he said.

He said girls in Kerala have a better record than boys in shcool education. They also excel in sports and outnumber boys in enrollment in higher education.
"That Kerala society treats women well is indicated in the fact that the average life expectancy of women is higher than men by four years," he said.

Union Ministers A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi, K C Venugopal, Mullapally Ramachandran, KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala, Former State Chief Minister Oommen Chandy were among those present.

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