The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has given an assurance to the state demand for an IIT would be considered during the 12th Plan.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told mediapersons here on Thursday that Dr Singh had said that the state would be in “first lot when IITs are sanctioned.”
The state also wanted the Dr Singh to consider its proposal for starting its own airline Air Kerala whose director board is to meet on Friday.
The company had been registered in 2005 and an objection raised by the aviation ministry was that for approval to operate international flights it needed to first operate domestic flights for five years.
“But in the case of Air India Express, the condition was waived and this had to be done for Kerala’s proposal too,” Chandy said.
Another demand of the state made was for a financial package for debt-stressed states.
The state’s debt liability to the Centre was Rs 2,974 crore and this needed to be waived. This had been promised earlier but did not happen, he said, adding that Dr Singh had agreed to look into the matter.
The state also sought assistance under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan for students of aided private schools in the state. “While other benefits given to government schools need not be extended to aided schools, students should not be denied the benefits,” Chandy said.