Missed out this one till late in the day.

Refer to today's (17 July, 2003) Mathrubhumi, (pg 11 in Cochin edition).

Here is a summarized rough translation for non-malayalees:-

IT project: Antony respects suggestion by VS, Soopy opposes.

By B. Rameshkumar

Education minister expressed dissatisfaction over action taken by the chief minister in postponing meeting on the ground that the objections raised by the leader of opposition are very serious. The minister had to meet the leader of opposition at his official residence to comply with the chief minister's directions

These incidents relate to the IT@SCHOOL project. The law department also has raised certain objections.

The general council of the project was scheduled to meet on 11th. Apart from the Chief Minister, secretaries and ministers of education, industry, IT, finance, and local administration arrived for the meet. The leader of opposition gave a detailed note to the Chief Minister 2 hours before the meet pointing out that there are serious traps in the memoranda of understanding proposed to be signed.

The CM arrived at the meet with this note. The CM directed that there points raised in the note are serious, and the education minister should discuss the issue with him (leader of the opposition). He did not take up the agenda.

Minister Soopy stated that it is not proper to postpone it in this manner. However, the CM stood his ground that the minister discuss the issue with leader of opposition. In the meanwhile, the IT secretary pointed out that the concerned file has not reached (her). Certain quarters advised the education minister that he need not go and meet the leader of opposition. But, Soopy agreed to honour the promise made to the general council by the CM. He talked with Achutanandan for one hour on Tuesday night.

He (VS Achutanandan) stood firm on the doubts and concerns raised by him. One of allegations raised by Achutanandan relate to the 'project siksha' of Microsoft which is part of the IT@SCHOOL. The project is worth 10 crore rupees. It was made clear in the agenda note given to the general body that an IT academy will be set up in 3000 Square feet space and and teachers will be trained (here) to use Microsoft products. However, the leader of opposition pointed out that it is made clear in the agenda note that the 3000 sq. ft. space in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, which would fetch rent of Rupees 6,84,000 is to be handed over to Microsoft for mere one rupee. He also stated that due to the training, the teachers will be able to use only Microsoft's products.

He also questioned the direction issued to the DPI (Director of public Instruction) to issue orders to the schools informing them (to?) purchase (of?) necessary software. Achutanandan also demanded in his note to the CM to drop the move to hand over execution of the IT@SCHOOL project to a private concern for next 30 years.

At the same time, authorities of IT@SCHOOL informed that there is no block to use of 'swatantra' software in the project. But the problem is that there would be no training support available. They also point out that the government has directed that there shall not be any new appointments for the training.

(Note:- The words in brackets are added by me, to make the context clear).