Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 3 : The CPI-M led LDF Government in Kerala has decided to extend reservation in higher education to economically backward students among the forward castes.

Ten percent seats will be reserved in government-run colleges and in case of universities, the quota will be 7.5 percent in view of the reservation pattern stipulated by the UGC, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told reporters after a cabinet meeting here on Wednesday.

The quota will be applicable for degree and postgraduate courses, he said.

Besides, nine Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the state will be developed as centres of excellence, he said.

The cabinet ratified the decision to acquire 70 acres of land at Pantheeramkad village in Kozhikode district for setting up an IT cyber park. (ANI)