Decks cleared for Smart City project

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 7 (UNI) Decks have been cleared for setting up 'Smart City' in Kochi with talks between the Kerala Government and Dubai Internet City (DIC) officials entering the final stages today.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandnan told media here the Government and the DIC had come to an understanding on important issues.

He said the Gulf-based businessman M A Yoosafali was participating in the talks as a representative of the promoters.

The DIC team held talks with Chief Secretary Lizzie Jacob, Finance Secretary Jose Cyriac, Special Secretary (Information Technology) K R Jyothilal and Political Secretary to Chief Minister K N Balagopal.

The Chief Minister said there was no change in the Government stand against transfer of Infopark and exclusive rights to the Authority to set up the IT Park.

The Government's share in the proposed company for implementation of the project would be 16 per cent initially against nine per cent proposed during the previous United Democratic Front Government.

As per the understanding, the company proposed to create 95,000 jobs in ten years time.

UNI