Date:20/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/20/stories/2007082057531100.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

CII welcomes Chief Minister’s request

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: The Confederation of Indian Industry has welcomed Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s request to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for setting up three premier national institutions in Tamil Nadu, saying they would give a fillip to the development of Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

In a statement on Sunday, CII Tamil Nadu State Council chairman Gopal Srinivasan said the setting up of an IIT in Madurai, an IIM in Coimbatore and an IISER in Tiruchi would give a boost to education system in the southern districts.

“The southern districts contribute over 19 per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product, and setting up of these institutions will ensure quality higher education to students,” he said.

Tamil Nadu stood first in the availability of skilled manpower, and setting up of premier management institutions would further supplement the human resources development and pace of industrialisation in the State, he said.

The CII is setting up a vocational school for SC/ST youth in several industry clusters across the State.