New Delhi: As many as 103 Indians either
lost their lives or were injured in attacks in Australia in
2010, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vyalar Ravi said the
matter has been taken up with the Australian government at the
highest level and the number of attacks on Indians there has
come down in recent months.
"The steps taken by the Australian authorities have
been useful as reflected in the substantial decrease in the
number of attacks in recent months," he said in a written
reply to a question.
Ravi said a total of 52 Indians had either lost their
lives or were injured in 2009 while the number in 2008 was
only 11.
"It has been conveyed to the Australian government
that it was the responsibility of the Australian
authorities to ensure the well being and security of all
Indians in Australia," he said.
Replying to a separate question on setting up of the
PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) university, he said government
has decided to establish it under the proposed Innovation
University Act.
He said the process of setting up of the PIO
University would commence once Parliament approves the
Innovation University Bill.
The proposed legislations seeks to set up 14
innovation universities across the country under public
funding, besides allowing promoters to establish such
universities. Each university will be based on a different
model and concept with distinctive financial, academic and
research structure.
PTI
