A huge world class hi-tech info city (software and hardware technology park) will be developed on the sprawling 200 acres in the GIDC area in Gandhinagar by 2000 AD, and similar parks in Surat and Rajkot by 2003, in public-private partnership. The process of setting up the info city begins this year.

Announcing the policy on Tuesday. Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel told newspersons that one per cent of the budget (about Rs 120 crore) would be committed to the information technology-related activities, which was expected to rise to three per cent in 2005. The immediate budgetary allocation will Rs 50 crore.

He said the IT policy envisaged Gujarat Institute of Information Technology (GIIT) on 80 acre in the Gandhinagar industrial estate, to supply quality manpower for hardware and software development. The process of constructing the complex will begin by March next.

Patel said an autonomous Gujarat Informatics Limited would be created by this December-end for implementing the new information technology policy and helping various players in the field. Among other things, this company will select consultants, specialists for providing services to government departments and agencies under broad framework contracts.

It will raise finance from various resources, including open market, and work as an agency for identification of projects for private sector participation. It will maintain an inventory of technological developments and update the Government agencies from time to time.

Listing objectives of the information technology policy, the Chief Minister said it aimed at introducing paperless work in the administration, creating enormous job opportunities, training and developing skilled manpower in the field, providing an easy access to people to information related to education, admission procedures, health and transport services and making government-citizen interface more effective.

N V Vasani, science and technology advisor to the Chief Minister, said that under the information technology infrastructure, Gandhinagar would be first connected with the district headquarters which would be later connected with the taluka headquarters. The government seeks to achieve this by 2001. Besides, kiosks will be created all over the State to help people have access to information related to public services.

A key area in each government department will be identified on priority for computerisation.