Govt. of Odisha formulates new ICT Policy to lure investors

ODISHA, INDIA: While most of the states have already passed an ICT policy, the State Government of Odisha too is soon going to formulate information and communication policy. The formulation of the ICT policy is aimed at attracting more investment in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

While the state has major IT companies, IT start ups and maximum number of engineering colleges to cater to the growing demand for technically skilled manpower, the new ICT policy could be boost the development of electronics and hardware sector.

This would not only make resources available to the upcoming IT setups but will also develop infrastructure for the IT industry and attract potential investors to the state.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved a proposal to constitute a 15-member committee headed by the IT Secretary to hammer out a policy, as per official sources.

The committee will include chairman-cum-managing director of Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), Director of International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bhubaneswar, representatives from the Industrial Investment Promotion Corporation of Orissa Limited (IPICOL), Software Technology Park of India (STPI), Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), NASSCOM, Centre for IT Education (CITE) and IT Association of Odisha as its members.

The draft report of the ICT Policy-2012 will be prepared by Pricewaterhouse Cooper (PwC). The last ICT Policy for the Odisha was announced in 2004. The new policy will, however, be in sync with the new IT policy of the Centre.

The new ICT policy will include HR availability, infrastructure, flexibility in setting up new business ventures and availability of land at lower prices.