'Puducherry admn taking steps to establish IIM'

Puducherry, Apr 4: The Puducherry administration will take steps to set up an IIM in the Union Territory, Education Minister M O H F Shajahan told the legislative assembly today.

Replying to a question, Mr Shajahan said during his talk to Union Human Resource Development minister Arjun Singh in this regard, he was informed that certain norms, including availability of 200 acres of land and airport facilities were needed.

DMK members S P Sivakumar and A M H Nazeem then pointed out that airport facility was already there and the government could get the unutilised land from the university. Following the members suggestion, Mr Shajahan said there was no possibility of setting up IIT since it was there in Chennai and the administration would press the Centre for setting up of an IIM in the Union Territory.

To another question, Mr Shajahan said the administration propose to appoint an OSD in higher education.

The minister also said the administration was taking steps for creation of a Joint Director (education) post in the wake of Karaikal being upgraded as a district.

UNI