8.10.09

Sam Pitroda made adviser to PM


IT czar Sam Pitroda, the chairman of the National Knowledge Commission , has been appointed as the adviser to PM Manmohan Singh on infrastructure, innovation and information. Pitroda (68), who will have the rank of a cabinet minister, will advise Singh on integrating information communication technology (ICT) in infrastructure, health, justice and information. “We’ll look at organising the integration of the national knowledge network and broadband connectivity for better service delivery to citizens,” Pitroda said. “We will also develop an action plan for the next decade which will be a decade for innovation and infrastructure.” Pitroda’s appointment is the second high-profile one made by the PM, who has roped in former Infosys co-chairman Nandan Nilekani to head the Unique Identification Authority of India. As chief of the knowledge panel, Pitroda, considered to have played a major role in India’s communication revolution, had submitted a series of reports for reforms in higher education, elementary education, health, agriculture, traditional medicine and ICT.

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