From correspondents in Kerala, India, 09:31 PM IST

A grouping of IT companies at the Technopark here Thursday asked the Kerala government to help the industry which it said was reeling under the global economic meltdown.

The Group of Technopark Companies (GTech) said the IT companies needed a reduction in rentals and electricity charges.

GTech president S. Rama Rao also told reporters that the IT department should treat the IT sector an essential service provider.

Former GTech president Sunil Gupta told IANS there was a preliminary discussion with the government last month where it was agreed to set up a committee made up of IT industry and government representatives.

Technopark is home to 120 companies that employ close to 18,000 people.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)