KADAMPUZHA (MALAPPURAM DIST.) MAY 22. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, has said that the State would be made 100 per cent computer literate within three years.

Inaugurating the 552-e-centres being set up in the district as part of Akshaya, a programme to bridge the digital divide, here today, Mr. Antony Said the Government was resolved to act in this direction before its tenure ended. Once the State achieves 100 per cent e-literacy, life of the people would be better besides creating more job opportunities.

Referring to the adaptability of Keralites to new technology, Mr. Antony said the people here were ready to identify themselves with matters that augured well for the State.

Mr. Antony pointed out that the district was backward in the first phase of education growth witnessed in the State. "However, it has got a chance to be in the first position, not only in Kerala but in the entire country as well, in the second education revolution (to make the public e-literate). The Akshaya project is being implemented on a pilot basis in two districts—in Malappuram and Thiruvananthapuram. As per reports read out here, the district is well ahead of Thiruvananthapuram in the implementation of the project."

Referring to the demand for turning Akshaya e-centres into 'Friends', collecting point of Government department bills and other taxes from the public, she said that 'Friends' was a novel project. "The London School of Economics has selected 'Friends' project as a case study." She said the Akshaya project would be replicated throughout the State based on the experiences in the district.

The Minister for Local Self-Government, Cherkalam Abdulla, inaugurated the people's computer syllabus. The education Minister, Nalakath Soopy Public Works Minister, M.K. Muneer, M.P. Abdu Samadani, MP, and others spoke.

Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the Akshaya e-centre at Karekkad, near here.

The Akshaya project aims at bringing home the benefits of Information Technology. One person each from every family in the State will be given training in the basic use of computer and they would be empowered to access relevant e-content in the regional language.

The project is implemented through information dissemination hubs called Akshaya e-centres across the State. A total of 552 Akshaya e-centres formally started functioning in Malappuram district today.

The Setting up of the centers itself is aimed at encouraging private entrepreneurs. Each center needs three to four trainers. Thus, the 552 centres would generate about 3,000 jobs and investment worth Rs. 30 crores.

These centers would provide services, like data-entry, Desk Top Publishing (DTP), computer training and internet telephony. It would also provide services related to various government departments, payment collection, e-commerce, e-courier, audio and video libraries.

The ultimate aim is to set up 9,000 Akshaya e-centres networking 300 lakh people across 60 lakh households. It is expected to create over 50,000 job opportunities and attract investments worth Rs. 5 crores.