Amar Singh gets Infosys’ Nilekani on UP panel

Singh already has a handful of big names on his council — Anil Ambani, Adi Godrej, Apollo Group’s Pratap Reddy, Sahara Parivar’s Subroto Roy and Amitabh Bachchan — but Nilekani is a prize catch too. ‘‘We would like to create an infotech triangle in UP, between Kanpur, Allahabad and Lucknow,’’ Singh said at a press conference.

‘‘The aim is to create cyber facilities across UP and explore the possibilities of software export from the state,’’ he said. And before the Election Commission could swoop down on him for violating the model code of conduct, Singh hastily added, ‘‘There are several projects already in the pipeline but I cannot speak about them for (fear of) inviting the wrath of the EC,’’ he said.

Nilekani struck the development chord while accepting the appointment. ‘‘India’s development is very important to me and infotech creates jobs and is an instrument of governance. I always accept a serious invitation and would like to participate in the development of any state,’’ he said. Nilekani also reminded the audience that his Chairman, Narayana Murthy, had graduated from IIT, Kanpur, and was the biggest donor to the institute. If UP was going to transform into a techno-hub, the state’s IIT had a contribution too.

Dhande said IIT Kanpur had already put out a lab-prototype of an indigenously designed tricycle, called the Infothela. ‘‘It is a cart on wheels with mobile connectivity, computer and telephony which can collect medical samples, conduct patholgical tests and communicate them easily, apart from performing other functions. It is a stunning discovery acknowledged by Haravrd and MIT and there are several interested manufacturers,’’ Dhande said, stressing the convergence of industry, academia and the government.

On politics, Singh said there was no question of expelled BSP MP Rashid Alvi joining the Samajwadi Party. He said the SP will not support a joint opposition candidate against PM Vajpayee in Lucknow and HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi in Allahabad but will put up its own candidates. An alliance with the Congress could be considered only after the latter publicly dissociated itself with the BSP and Mayawati, he said.