AGARTALA: Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal has assured Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar that the state would get an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in 12th five year plan.
However, Mr Sarkar reiterated that the state government was not in position to accept all the conditions laid out by the Centre for setting up an IIIT and an Indian Institute of Management (IIM), as Tripura has a small geography coupled with a number of logistical difficulties. The CM and the union minister discussed the issues related to human resource development on the sideline of the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Vice President Hamid Ansari here on Thursday.
“I have told Mr Sibal to make the state an education hub for Bangladesh and other countries, as we are strategically in a better position though the state is small. We can able to cater to the need of the entire region,” Mr Sarkar told UNI here on Friday.
He stated that discussion was held with the Planning Commission for setting up of IIIT and IIM in Tripura and Kapil Sibal had also supported the need of IIIT in the state. Referring to the interest of Bangladesh Prime Minister to hold a stake in Northeast’s gas-based mega combine power project (726 MW) in Palatana in South Tripura, Mr Sarkar said the state government would have no problem in bringing in investment from or sell out power to the neighbouring country but the decision had to be taken by the Centre.
“We welcome Bangladeshi investment in potential sectors and we are abetting our business group to invest in Bangladesh besides, urging Centre to liberalise the investment policy for other countries and promoting the development goals of India,” Mr Sarkar added. (UNI)