The government will explore alternatives to SmartCity through consensus only if talks with Tecom are deadlocked, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has said.
Replying to questions in the Assembly on Tuesday, Mr.Achuthanandan said before exploring other options, the government would hold extensive consultations with all concerned. The company was demanding right to sell the land on which it had free hold against the provisions of the agreement. The government would not deviate from the framework agreement. Though the company had offered to create 90,000 job opportunities, no step had been taken in this regard. Bilateral talks were still being held in the interest of the State.
Infopark would create one lakh job opportunities. Remarkable progress had been made in the information technology sector during the past four years. The State had set a record in IT export during the period. It was three times more than the national average. The number of IT parks had gone up from two to 10 and there was considerable increase in investments too. If the government was unable to open IT parks in all districts, it would set up techno lodges.
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When the government assumed office, the public debt of the State was Rs.45,929.05 crore. As per the provisional estimate of the Accountant-General, the public debt till March 31 last was Rs.70,235.23 crore. The per capita debt was Rs.22,058.
On introducing core banking system, ATM facility would be provided in treasury savings banks too. Pension payment orders would be returned to the pensioners.