IT policy Bengal govt expediates It works Stir to check erosion A massive agitation has begun to check the erosion on the Ganga-Padma-Bhagirathi-Hooghly banks Jyoti Basu Ideological fight is most important

The Left Front Government has prepared a package of schemes for expansion of the Information Technology and extensive use of computers in the administration. At present of course, eight spheres of activity have been identified to give priority to Information Technology the Government views on these eight subjects or themes have been clarified. The Deputy Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya told reporters in Calcutta on Monday that the State Government has already announced its policy on Information Technology. He added a new Department has also been created Bhattacharya also said that a few internationally reputed companies with Information Technology as their forte have shown their eagerness to invest in Information Technology in West Bengal. He hoped that local talent and entrepreneurship would also be put to use for the purpose. The Left Front Government too, he said, was taking the initiative to set up a venture capital to lure young entrepreneurs into the Information Technology areana. An institution with the name Indian Institute of Information Technology would also be set up. Besides, a University to teach modern Information Technology would also be setup.

After receipt of the Centre’s notes on the details of Information Technology the Left Front Government has prepared its guidelines on Information Technology. The Youth Welfare Minister, Manab Mukherjee has been associated with the task. Subsequently Deputy Chief Minister, Buddhadev Bhattacharya up the matter with the Centre. It is learnt that the Centre will offer financial assistance to the States. On implementing the Information Technology Manab Mukherjee said that greater use of computers in government offices would henceforth be a regular feature in future. Computers would be used to monitor progress of government schemes. Personal data of Government employees would be kept in computers. Land records too would be kept in computers. Police files or statistics of crimes would also be available in computers. Testimonials of persons of Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribes will be kept in computers. The Employment Exchange will be fully computerized for the time being the work of a portion of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board will be done through computers. The WEBEL will act as an agent of the Pollution Control Board.