Chandigarh, May 3: Top IT companies are vying with each other to set up shop in Mohali near Chandigarh as it is emerging as a technology knowledge corridor.At least 130 top IT and software companies have registered with the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) at Mohali. Prominent among these are Infosys, Unisys, Zensar Technologies (Fujitsu and ICIL), Videocon, Quark, Max India, Tata Interactive, CompuInfo and HCL Perot Systems.
Mohali is being targeted by the Punjab government as the hub of new IT ventures. It is noteworthy that it already has a presence in the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI). It provides connectivity through STPI and PUNCOM-VSNL Ku-band earth stations and has an excellent network of social and industrial infrastructure including telecom, power and human resources.
Unveiling the IT policy initiatives at the formal launch of the IT venture capital fund of Punjab, the chief minister, Parkash Singh Badal disclosed that the IT initiatives were targeted at "ending the red-tapism and making it easier for entrepreneurs who want to invest in Punjab".
He hoped that with the launch of the Rs 20 crore IT-dedicated venture capital fund, the IT sector will invest more in Mohali. The IT venture fund is expected to go a long way in promoting the growth of small and medium scale projects which were shelved due to a paucity of funds. The chief minister also said that the fund amount would be raised if needed, in the future.
Secretary Industries and PS to chief minister, RI Singh disclosed that the IT mission of Punjab was manifold and covered development of IT infrastructure which includes creation of state-wide area IT network (PUNWAN) utilising fibre optics cables through the Department of Telecommunications and Himachal Futuristic Company Limited (HFCL), besides the Punjab State Electricity Board's parallel network.
It provides for:
Internet connectivity in all cities of Punjab
Assured power supply to software and hardware units;
Allocation of land for infrastructure creation through private sector initiatives.In the field of IT infrastructure, the state has taken up development of an IT park at Mohali jointly with Mahindra & Mahindra Limited and yet another IT park is being planned by Quark of USA at Ropar. The capital outlay of each of these IT parks is estimated to be Rs 300 crore.
RI Singh said the main aim was to promote and make Punjab a preferred IT destination through an investor-friendly IT policy. He said that adequate steps were being taken to ensure that the infrastructure was in place. A special package of incentives for the IT industry will also be provided. The sops include capital subsidy, exemption and deferment of sales tax, exemption of stamp duty, octroi and electricity duty, and permission to operate from residential areas.
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