Tamil Nadu CM assures world-class infrastructure

CHENNAI: With the state getting a steady investment flow, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Monday said the government was committed to provide world-class infrastructure to boost the industry growth in general and the ICT (information and communication technology) in particular.

Inaugurating the seventh edition of CII's ICT event, "Connect 2007", Karunanidhi said skill development was a priority area for the government and called upon the CII to partner with the state for creating a model of inclusive development where access to jobs would not be the preserve of a few privileged elite institutions but would be open to all.

"I am acutely conscious that the human resources of the state have to be further strengthened. On my initiative, the Centre is setting up an Indian Institute of Information Technology for Design and Manufacturing near Chennai," he said.

"I have also requested the Centre to set up an additional IIT at Madurai, IISER at Tiruchirappalli and an IIM at Coimbatore," he added.

The government had taken special steps to strengthen the system of technical education in the state, he remarked.

"Actions speak louder than words. Our actions so far have clearly demonstrated our will to forge ahead. The results so far have been extremely satisfying, but we are not content to rest on our laurels," the chief minister said.

Our journey continues and we have miles to go before we can build a Tamil Nadu free from hunger, want, unemployment and inequality, Karunanidhi added.