Kolkata: West Bengal government on Saturday appointed technocrat Sam Pitroda as advisor to ‘Resurgent
Bengal' initiative created with the view to push the state
ahead in health, innovation and education sectors.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Pitroda had been
invited by the state government and would suggest how to
utilise the merit and knowledge of the state and to catapult
it to the highest level of excellence.
Commenting on the state's initiative, Pitroda said West
Bengal had been ignored for 30 years.
"Now we need to put together a plan for the next 30
years. We need more people to join us to develop the state in
terms of technology, health and education," he said.
To start with five innovation clusters would be set up
as a part of pilot project. A total of 15 innovation clusters
would be set up as a part of the National Innovation Council,
he said.
"We will work under the guidance of the chief minister
who has given detailed plans," Pitroda said.
The meeting between the chief minister and Pitroda was
also attended by state Finance Minister Amit Mitra, Industry
and IT Minister Partha Chatterjee and Railways Minister Dinesh
Trivedi.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, July 16, 2011, 18:43