Dubai Internet City welcome to go to Bengal:Achuthanandan

Kochi, Jun 15 (UNI) Declaring that there was no change in the LDF's opposition to the proposed Smart City project of the Dubai Internet City (DIC)in its present form, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the DIC was welcome to go to West Bengal.

Addressing his first press conference at the Ernakulam Press Club after taking over as Chief Minister last month, Mr Achuthanandan said several other major IT infrastructure proposals were being studied by the government.

The Chief Minister said while the LDF was in opposition, it had protested against the 'Smart City' project on several counts. ''There is no change in our stance on the project,'' he added.

Asked about reports that the DIC was planning to take the project to West Bengal, he replied tersely ''let them go''.

He reiterated that his government will not follow the Congress state governments in reducing sales tax on petrol and diesel.

On the differences between the state government and the self-financing professional colleges on the admission procedures and fee structure for students, Mr Achuthanandan said these colleges should abide by the undertaking that they had given to former Chief Minister A K Antony.

On the attack by Left Front activists on Indian Youth Congress workers protesting against Public Works Minister P J Joseph in Kozhikode on Monday, he said the IYC activists had tried to physically harm the Minister.

The Left Front workers will not remain mute spectators to such acts, he added.

On the allegations levelled against Mr Joseph, regarding his tenure as Minister in the previous LDF Government, Mr Achuthanandan wondered why the UDF government did not act on the allegations while it was in power.

Stating that the file relating to the subject was before him, the chief minister said he will examine the matter and take suitable action, if necessary.

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