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Special Correspondent

Software exports increased by 70% and electronic
exports growth rate was 35% in the year 1998-99. This was stated by Shri Ravindra Gupta, Secretary, Department of Electronics, Ministry of Science and Technology, while addressing the meeting of Development Council for Electronic Industry here today. He said that the main objective of the Department are to develop the Indian Electronics and to make Information Technology Industry a major global player and to bring the benefits of Electronics and Information Technology to every walk of life.

While discussing about the initiatives with regard to these objectives, he informed the Council that more Rational Exim Policy and procedures, 1997-2002 have come into force. Two new Institutes of Information Technology have been established by Government to meet the requirements of Information and Technology. He said that overall technological development is extremely important issue today. For this infrastructural facilities are being strengthened. Beside this total number of software Technology Park has gone from 6 to 9. Work on 8 new Software Technology Park of India (SPTI) is under progress in Mysore, Manipal, Coimbatore, Vizag, Pune, Chennai, Indore and Guwahati. Shri Gupta also pointed out the importance of venture capital, because of a crucial trigger in the growth of Information Technology Industry around the World. A National Equity Fund is being established jointly by Department of Electronics, SIDBI and foreign Institutions/Industry. Discussing the challenges of Y2K problem, Secretary informed delegates that Government has taken many steps such as close interaction with user sectors like Banking and Finance, Civil Aviation, Defence and other Departments has initiated. A Help Desk has been created at CMC, Hyderabad. Expenditure incurred for Y2K compliance is now deductible under Income Tax Act. Government is also giving high importance to Electronic-Commerce(E-Commerce). Technological progress work for E-Commerce has already initiated at CMC Ltd. Hyderabad. Special efforts are being are being taken in the North-Eastern Areas for development of Software Technology parks.

Shri Ashok Soota, Chairman, WPIRO Ltd., Shri N.R.Narayanmurthy, Chairman,Infosys Technologies Ltd., Shri P.N. Dhoot, Director, Videocon International Ltd., Shri F.C.Kohli, Dy Chairman, Tata Consultancy Services were some special invitees for this meeting.