Advertisment

Eastern India prepares ground for IT

author-image
CIOL Bureau
New Update

BANGALORE: Taking the cue from the South, eastern states of India are coming together to capitalize on IT and enabled services sector and promises to become sought after destinations for the IT industry. Assisting them on the drive is Nasscom, with its recommendations on framing of IT friendly policies and other decisions to attract investments.

Advertisment

Nasscom, President, Kiran Karnik, said, "Information Technology offers a tailor-made solution to overcome terrain problems which currently prevent seamless communication in the states. The government of these states should closely work with the center and the industry in order to crease information access points that are feasible and practical. The discussion today provided a good opportunity to address both physical and perceptional issues that the states need to address to attract IT investment."

West Bengal, Chief Minister, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, said, "We have made lot of progress in e-governance, IT education with the highest per-capita spending on education in India. Our vision is to be among the top 3 states in India by 2010 and contribute 15-20 percent of the total IT export revenue by this period (15 percent of ITES, 10-15 percent in IT Services and 25 percent in product development and R&D outsourcing). The manpower demand is also expected to be around 1,75,000 in IT services and 2, 25,000 in ITES."

"TCS is conducting a systems study in 19 government departments and will provide us suggestion on using IT effectively. We have roped in McKinsey and Co. to give us IT strategy for the state and in touch with 36 IT companies. Wipro has already confirmed that they are setting up a development center at the Salt Lake with construction beginning on Dec. 13. Reliance is also setting up a optical fiber network in the state" he added.

Advertisment

Speaking on behalf of Arunachal Pradesh, Minister for IT, Tsering Gyumre, remarked, "Despite all geographical odds, the government through setting up the Department of IT has made considerable progress in this arena. A sufficient number of skilled IT manpower is already being generated with the help of private training companies which will be able to cater to the IT demand. We would like to use the various facets of IT such as e-commerce, e-governance, e-services and information communication to help our traditional industries and also improve government administration."

"Arunachal Pradesh has a rich biodiversity and our aim is to efficiently use the IT sector in tapping the natural resources in a sustainable manner. Our government thorough its new industrial policy will provide a five year tax holiday and lease land for IT companies to set up presence here. We will extend all possible help and social security to promote IT development," he added.

Assam, Industry Minister, Bhubaneswar Kalita, observed, "Eastern India, particularly, North East India, has seen a quantum jump in IT applications in the last decade. Assam has given topmost priority for IT in all sectors and has an open mind for IT related ventures and projects. We are looking for using IT in areas such as transportation, commerce, manufacturing, solution development and selling and export oriented ventures in IT. Government policies and incentives, coupled with improving law and order situation have been successful in infusing fresh investments into the state in the IT sector. We assure full cooperation and support to private investors who are keen to set up presence in our state."

Advertisment

On the other hand, Meghalaya, Chief Minister, FA Khonglam admitted that there is a need to spread awareness in his state and encourage the private sector to step up investment in the region. "An interaction of this kind is a great step in spreading knowledge about IT in this region and also building a positive image for us externally, " he said.

Manipur, Chief Minister, Okram Ibobi Singh said, "Manipur has taken a number of steps to put Manipur on the IT map in India, particularly with a view to generate employment for the educated youth. We are pressing hard for setting up a STPI unit in Imphal to spread IT development in the state. We have earmarked Rs 1 crore as state shares towards this. A technical incubation center with IT connectivity for entrepreneurs is also proposed to be set up CEDTI, which will cater to IT entrepreneurs. Manipur offers skilled manpower at a much lower cast and also a large number of English speaking manpower for the ITES sector."

Nagaland, Minister for Science & Technology, T Chubha informed that most government departments have taken up computerization on a large scale and also have fibre optic connectivity in all districts of the state. The state government has set up a state level coordination committee for IT applications in the state headed by the Chief Secretary, Nagaland. “We are keen to boost private sector presence in our state and we will need their support in spreading IT development in our state", he added.

Advertisment

Mizoram, Minister for Industries and IT, K Thangzuala said, "Mizoram has the second highest literacy rate in the country and has the potential to become one of the most IT literate state. Through the IT policy we plan to cover vital sectors of the industry, education, government, health, tourism, agriculture and IT for the masses over a five year period. We offer English speaking innovative people with a creative bent of mind that is needed for a dynamic industry such as IT.”

The state is planning to use IT in areas such as Tele-medicine, state wide area networks for online communication with various department and citizen interfaces.

Tripura, Honorable Minister for Industries, Pabitra Kar opined that Tripura is fast emerging as an attractive destination for IT investment. As a part of e-governance initiatives, the state has launched four citizen services and decided to introduce Smart Cards as a replacement of conventional identity cards for 50,000 government employees based at Agartala.

It also intends to set up Tripura State Wide Area Network to connect state headquarters, Sub-divisional headquarters and BDO headquarters to provide efficient communication facilities. We have a lot of IT initiatives by the government and are keen to attract private companies to support us on this IT drive.

Sikkim Industrial Development Corporation, Chairman, PD Rai said that the ICT infrastructure in the state is up and running and that they are inviting the private sector to develop them further. An STPI unit will be opening up in Sikkim within the next 6 months. The state also has a technical education program that helps in creating a good quality manpower.

tech-news