BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday met Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh in New Delhi to put forth the demand for setting up of an Indian Institute of Technology, a Central University and an Indian Institute of Management in the State.

Singh's assurance

Reiterating the demand for an IIT for the State during the 11th Five Year Plan period, Mr. Patnaik said Orissa did not have a single institution of national excellence and the demand for setting up of an IIT was being raised by the people since long.

Mr. Singh assured the Chief Minister that the demand for an IIT would be considered while finalising the proposals of his Ministry for the 11th Plan, according to an official release by the State Government here.

The Chief Minister also met the Union Chemical and Fertilizers Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and held discussions about the proposed Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) at Paradip.

Mr. Patnaik assured Mr. Paswan that the State Government would take all possible steps to expedite the groundwork relating to the PCPIR at Paradip.

Mr. Patnaik welcomed the Centre's decision to revive the closed down fertilizer unit of the Fertilizer Corporation of India at Talcher.

The Union Minister said that the Centre was fully committed for the revival of the Talcher plant and necessary advertisements in this regard would be issued shortly.

Mr. Patnaik also met Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways and Shipping T.R. Baalu and discussed the deteriorating condition of several highways in the State. Mr. Baalu promised necessary support for the purpose.

The two leaders also discussed the proposed Vijayawada-Ranchi road that would pass through Orissa.

The road will serve as a security corridor and also boost economic growth in the Naxalite-infested regions of the State.

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