Rs 1k-crore for rural connectivity through fibre optics: Sibal

Pune, Jan 12 (PTI) Union Minister for Human ResourcesKapil Sibal today said the Centre has earmarked Rs 1,000-crorefor connectivity between villages through fibre opticstechnology in the next 2-3 years, which would take knowledgeat the doorsteps of rural India.

"Rs 1000 crore will be spent to facilitate villageconnectivity through fibre optics in the next 2-3 years sothat people in rural areas can have access to knowledgesitting at home," he said addressing the ''1st Parliament ofIndian student Council leaders'' organised jointly by stategovernment and Maharashtra Institute of technology (MIT) here.

Sibal asserted that government wanted to bring about atotal transformation of the educational system to make it morerelevant and ensure greater access to higher education to thedeprived students.

He claimed that the media was not projecting the positiveside of the country''s developmental aspect.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said, "Forthe sake of profiteering, environment is being destroyed" andthere is a need to strike balance between development andpreservation of natural resources in the state and thecountry.

He said there were concerns in the state over corruption,environment and the Naxalite menace.

Chavan said he would meet the challenges being faced bythe state and strike to restore the glory of Maharashtra whichhad "faded" recently.