TRS MLA launches hunger strike for setting up IIT

Sangareddy, Andhra Pradesh, Jan 25: TRS dissident MLA Thoorpu Jaya Prakasha Reddy today launched a hunger strike demanding setting up of the proposed IIT in Medak district as announced by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in the recent winter session of the state assembly.

Several of his supporters, students of different educational institutions and representatives of NGOs joined him in the hunger strike.

Mr Reddy said TRS leaders were opposing the setting up of the IIT in Sangareddy as it fell under his constituency, and were raising the issue of the need of setting it up in Basara in the interiour Adilabad district to deprive the prestigious institution to Medak district.

He challenged the TRS leaders to come to Sangareddy and explain the advantages of setting up the IIT in Basara.

The Chief Minister told the assembly that the Central Government had agreed to set up an IIT in Andhra Pradesh and stipulated certain conditions, including provision of 300 to 500 acres of land free of cost, international standard infrastructure and rail and air connectivity as the faculty from abroad would be able to reach the Institute easily.

Dr Reddy said the Government chose Sangareddy, as it was only 30 kms from the state capital, since international airport was coming up in Shamshabadd on the outskirts of the city.

As a consolation, Dr Reddy announced that a twenty-first century Gurukul would be established at Basara at a cost of Rs five crore by the Government.

UNI