THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Raising eyebrows, the state government sanctioned IT related projects to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore in Malappuram district on March 4, the day on which the assembly polls were announced. The decision assumed significance as IT Minister P K Kunhalikutty and most of his party (IUML) colleagues are seeking a mandate from Malappuram district.
Even two schools in Mr. Kunhaklikutty’s constituency Vengara have been included among the ten schools where smart classrooms would be started as per the order. While Rs 2 crore was allotted for setting up smart classrooms in ten schools in Malappuram, Rs 50 lakh was allotted for a wi-fi project in Malappuram municipality.
This apart, Rs 1 crore was allotted for meeting the expenses involved in the launch of the Digital Empowerment Campaign by President Pranab Kumar Mukherjee at Kozhikode on Feb 27, although the event was held along with the inauguration of UL Cyber Park of the Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society.
The funds received from telecom service providers by way of the recent decision to grant right-of-way for laying cables will be used for the purpose. In February, the government decided to grant right-of-way to major telecom service providers to lay cables across the state on the condition that Rs 75,000 per kilometre was paid as one time contribution apart from a bank guarantee of Rs 50 per metre.
It was also decided to utilise 50 percent of the amount for CSR and IT infrastructure development. Based on this, Rs 2.5 crore worth project was allowed for Malappuram district .
Schools identified for the smart classroom project include five government schools and five aided schools. GGVHS-Vengara, GVHSS –Vengara, GHSS-Othukkundal, GUPS-Kuruka and GMUPS-Kolappuram are the government schools and KMHSS-Kuttur North, Markazul Uloom HSS –Oorakam, IUHSS-Parappur, AR Nagara HSS- Chendapuraya and PPTMYHSS-Cherur are the aided schools.
Of the Rs 1 crore allotted for the Digital Empowerment Campaign launch, Rs 52 lakh was accounted as event management charges and poster expenses and Rs 42 lakh was accounted towards hoardings.
