GNFC commits Rs 25 cr for IT in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: The IT scenario in Gujarat is going to get some reprieve with Gujarat’s own public sector giant, Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers (GNFC) announcing an investment of a little over Rs 25 crore in the state in the next two years.

"To start with, GNFC would fund its Digital Certifying Authority infrastructure," said Pankaj Nanavati, Executive Director, GNFC.

US-based Entrust Inc. would provide the technology transfer and another US company Critical Path would provide the directory services to the DCA project. With a large number of banks, insurance companies and software distributors in the online commercial transaction business, this business is expected to take GNFC to a new height.

"We plan to offer at least three million digital signature Certificates per annum. Once we procure the formalities from the ministry, we will start with one million in a couple of years and then increase it gradually," said Nanavati. If the e-governance in Gujarat is to take off and then online payments are to be made in various government bodies in the form of taxes and other payments, the DCA of GNFC would be the key ally to its progress.