Prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday mounted a veiled attack on the Mayawati government when he said that Central PSUs were awaiting approval from the state government to set up power plants in Uttar Pradesh, which was facing an acute power crisis.
“To resolve the shortage of power in Uttar Pradesh, Central PSUs — NTPC and Neyveli Lignite Corporation — have proposed to set up several major power projects in the state. Work on these plants will commence as soon as approval form the state government is received,” he said while addressing a gathering of industrialists and entrepreneurs at the Merchant’s Chamber of Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of 125th anniversary celebration of its founder chairman late Kamlapati Singhania.
The Prime Minister assured that the Centre would provide all necessary help needed for development of Uttar Pradesh.
Earlier, the Prime Minister, who was here as chief guest at the 42nd convocation of IIT-Kanpur, was conferred a degree of Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, by IIT-Kanpur.
The Prime Minister is the fifth person to get the honorary Ph.D degree from IIT-K. The honour has earlier been conferred on Dr P.K. Kelkar, founder director of IIT-K, Dr Abdul Kalam, former President of India, Norman Dahl, ex-professor at IIT-K and Morarji Desai, former Prime Minister of India.
Addressing the convocation, Dr Manmohan Singh asked students to remember that the people of the country had partly paid for their education and that the country is still burdened with persistent poverty, hunger and disease.
“Institutions like yours are islands of excellence in a sea of less endowed institutions. You must in some manner, however small it might be, give back to the society and the people who have nurtured you,” the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister underlined the need to increase quality research in science and technology that plays a dominant role in determining the power and progress of a nation.
“This role has become even more critical in the wake of newer challenges like climate change. We need more innovation in areas like sustainable agriculture, affordable health care and energy security. India’s strength in frugal engineering and extremely affordable innovations is becoming known internationally. Indian scientists and engineers should leverage this strength to play a more prominent role in addressing problems that affect all countries of the world,” he said.