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Haryana approves draft IT policy 2000
Charanjit Ahuja
Chandigarh, May 3: The Haryana Cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Om Prakash Chautala has approved the draft Information Technology Policy 2000 for the state. The policy aims at upgrading the standard of administration, ensure extensive percolation of IT literacy and increase the share of IT in the state gross domestic product.Taking a cue from his friend, Chandrababu Naidu, the Andhra Chief Minister, the Haryana CM decided that the state government would set up Hi-Tech Habitat-ITT complexes at Gurgaon, Panchkula and other places in the state besides promoting the setting up of private software technology parks by liberalising procedures and policies. Special encouragement would be given to set up IT incubators. According to draft policy, a world class cyber city is to be set up over an area of 2000 acres at a suitable place in the state to give shape to the concept of Information Technology and germination of medium and large software companies. This self-contained "Intelligent City" would be planned with high quality infrastructure, attractive surroundings, high speed communication access, uninterrupted power, clean and hygienic living spaces, institutional areas, hotels and entertainment facilities. It would have the best international talent and a futuristic concept and design. This project would be developed in the joint sector by Haryana Urban Development Authority, HARTRON, Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation in association with international private partners. The key features of the draft policy on IT are: Public information and facilitation counters to be set up in government offices;
Service delivery points like information kiosks, public tele-info centres and interactive voice response systems to be encouraged;
Human resource development to get high priority. Stress on IT literary in government schools and colleges;
Setting up of Internet clubs;
Promotion of distance education using electronic class-rooms to be encouraged;
Stress on generation of IT-related employment opportunities and increase in the share of IT in state gross domestic product;
Government to set up separate secretariat for IT headed by secretary, electronics and information technology, and who would report directly to the Chief Minister;
IT industry already recognised as thrust area under the Industrial Policy, 1999. A special package of incentives worked out for IT industry. IT software industry to be totally exempted from payment of sales tax. Special incentives for mega projects having investment of Rs 30 crore and above;
Awards to be given for outstanding performance in exports, domestic segment and employment generation.Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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