Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

CM raises IT issues with PM

By Our Special Correspondent

Hyderabad June 11. The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, hardly could hide his obsession with IT even amidst his latest slogan, welfare, during the videoconference held by the Prime Minister, A. B. Vajpayee, to mark the launch of the Vidya Vahini scheme.

Mr. Naidu took the lead raising IT and communication-related problems faced by States like Andhra Pradesh. He thanked the Prime Minister for taking initiatives like Vidya Vahni but complained that State Governments were not allowed to use the Ku band independently, open radio frequencies of their own on C band, and launch programmes based on wireless technbology.

Mr. Naidu poured out his woe: "Sir, these facilities are permitted to private parties for providing entertainment but denied to State Governments to promote knowledge and development.'' He sought Mr. Vajpayee's intervention to enable Andhra Pradesh to tap the satellite directly for Ku band for healthcare, self-help groups; to launch a C-band-based radio of its own for interacting with citizens and to utilise wireless technology.

The Union Minister for Communications and IT, Arun Shourie, who was also present, cited defence considerations as standing in the way but promised to examine the issue.

The Chief Minister stressed the need for giving computer education to rural children quoting a couplet , "Tell, it will be forgotten; show it will be remembered.'' He said the literacy had gone up in the State to 72.8 per cent in 2003 from 61.11 per cent three years earlier, and it was his plan to take this to the cent per cent mark by 2005. IT tool was "a must'' for this, he stated.

Mr. Naidu hogged the limelight a second time when four schoolgirls participating from Lucknow briefed the Prime Minister about the personal benefit they derived out of IT through Vidya Vahini while doing a project on Andhra Pradesh culture and IT initiatives. Neha Tandon and Archana mentioned their <243>findings about Andhra Pradesh as "excellent.''

The Chief Minister chipped in with an invitation to Andhra Pradesh as state guests.

The Minister for School Edcuation, M. Venkateswara Rao, and the Chief Minister's Special Secretary (IT), Randeep Sudan, were present.

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