The Department of Information and Technology (DOIT) has proposed before the State government to allocate Rs 12 crore for this year, in the upcoming budget. This would be required to meet the promises made through the new IT Policy, which was launched a couple of months back. In the meanwhile, the DOIT has already sent its schemes to the finance department of the State for its approval.
In case it is accepted, it will give a tremendous boost to the IT industry as it will allow the department to implement what was promised in the policy and pass on the benefit to the deserving, on a quarterly basis directly in their bank accounts. The primary benefits are (a) 100 per cent waiver on payment of electricity duty on self-consumption up to 5 years from the date of commencement of operations for new units / start-ups subject to a ceiling of Rs 2 lakh per unit/start-up; (b) Each unit/start-up will be entitled to a special incentive on generating local employment in the form of reimbursement of 10% of the salary paid out to the local employee; subject to the ceiling of Rs 3 lakh per year for a period of three years; (c) Reimbursement of Internet bandwidth usage charges with maximum limit of Rs 1 lakh per annum for period of 5 years from the date of commencement of operation.
As far as the IT Park and EMC cluster is concerned, it is likely to be completed in 2-3 months time as the master plan for this is being created by the consultants Jones Lang LaSalle and is being monitored on a weekly basis. Similarly, the STPI has finalised the design of the incubator which will have a capacity of 45 with a dedicated Internet connectivity and it has been sent to the GIDC for its approval. “Once we get the approval, we will have a standard operating procedure (SOP) for allocating seats and STPI will manage that,” Ameya Abhyankar, Director of IT told Herald.
The DOIT is contemplating to come out clear on two specific areas of the IT policy. It is likely to give more clarity and detail on electronic as well as start-up policies.
Bringing in reforms in e-governance is also in the priority basket of the DOIT. The department has already created an online portal where registration can be done and no objection certificates (NOCs) on purchase or hiring of equipments can be obtained without inordinate delay.
The DOIT is also planning to set-up a design center where students from Class XI to Bachelor of Engineering can come and show their prowess and skills at their free time. “This could be a corporate driven venture but we in the government will provide the space. It would be a great idea if such center could be linked with a patent facility center so that the designs created can be patented with ease,” added Mr Abhyankar.
Goa has it natural resources and many agriculture produce alongwith its handicraft. The list could be endless but what is required is a proper designing, packaging and marketing of these product. “If we are able to create this shelf, coupled with good branding, we can also tie-up with reputed online portals for the sale of these product which will help poor farmers who may have idea but not the resources to grow big,” said the director of the IT department to Herald.
Efforts are also on to bring-in innovation labs in Goa in tune with what is being used in South California of USA. The department is also walking an extra mile to meet with companies like Google and Youtube so that creation from Goan students can be leveraged in those portals which in-turn will help them play at a global stage and make money.
