TN CM Edappadi K Palaniswami writes to Centre on CICT issue

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami wrote to Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, saying the state government had already handed over 17 acres of land at Perumbakkam in Kanchipuram district to construct a permanent building for CICT.

"Government of India has already sanctioned Rs 24 crore and the Central Public Works Department has already commenced the civil works," he said.

"In the above circumstances, I request you to kindly drop any move to attach/affiliate this institute to the Central University, Thiruvarur or any other university, and protect the autonomous character of the institute," he said in a letter to Javadekar.

Palaniswami recalled he had earlier written to the Minister on the matter, adding "I am glad that you have clarified that the Central Government's policy is to promote all Indian languages."

Earlier, the Governing Board of CICT, of which Palaniswami is the Chairperson, had opposed the move by the Centre to bring it under the central varsity and said it should not lose its autonomous status.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at its meeting in July.

Functioning under the Union Human Resources Development Ministry, the CICT is focused on Classical Tamil research till circa 600 AD.