New policy on IT, ITeS soon: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: The IT ministry will come out with a policy on IT & ITeS, to set up manufacturing base for semiconductors, assembly of PCs, flat LCD panels, storage devices, etc.

This will be based on equity participation, finance minister P Chidambaram told the Lok Sabha while presenting the Budget for 2006-'07.

He also proposed to bridge the rural divide between urban and rural areas.

The finance minister also proposed to spend Rs 1500 crore to provide 50 million connections in rural India.

Chidambaram also added that Communications and IT minister will introduce a bill to amend the Indian Telegraph Act to help the penetration of cellular phones in rural areas.