Foundation stone for Madurai IT park soon: Karunanidhi

Chennai, Apr 16 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today told the state Assembly that the foundation stone for a new IT park in Madurai would be laid in the next few weeks.

Replying to supplementaries raised by Mr Nanmaran (CPI-M) during the question hour, he said efforts were being taken through the ELCOT to set up IT parks in Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Salem and Tirunelveli.

The foundation stone had been laid for IT parks in Coimbatore, Salem and Tirunelveli and steps were being taken in this regard in Tiruchirapalli and Madurai. ''As far as Madurai is concerned, the foundation stone for the IT park will be laid in the next few weeks,'' he added.

Responding to Mr V Sivapunniyam (CPI), who wanted the Government to set up an IT park in Thanjavur, the Chief Minister said Thanjavur would be next in the list.

Mr Karunanidhi announced that about 172.19 acres of land had been transferred to ELCOT for setting up a SEZ at Hosur in Krishnagiri district, for which the Centre had given its nod.

To another question, he said the software exports from the state had risen from Rs 14,400 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 21,700 crore in 2006-07. It was expected to touch Rs 26,000 crore in 2007-08.

UNI GV GD SP HT1652