Microsoft to help Haryana go high-tech

NEW DELHI: Microsoft Corp said on Friday that it had signed an agreement with

the farming state of Haryana to spread technology in government administrations

and schools.

The Seattle-based Microsoft, the world's largest independent software vendor,

and the northern Indian state, usually known more for its huge wheat harvests

than high-tech ambitions, will jointly develop and deploy technology solutions

in the state.

"The Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation (HARTRON) and

Microsoft will also set up an e-governance application development center and

roll out a "smart schools" initiative for Haryana," Microsoft

said in a statement.

The two will also jointly undertake education initiatives for information

technology.

Microsoft Indian unit president Rajiv Nair and Om Prakash Chautala, Haryana's

chief minister, exchanged the agreement on Friday.

Haryana is the latest among Indian states to woo software companies to create

jobs. Chautala met Microsoft chairman Bill Gates during an Indian visit in

September.

(C) Reuters Limited 2000.