Maharashtra State Information Technology Policy 1998

In continuation of the state’s New Industry, Trade and Commerce Policy, 1995, whose Mission Statement was Empowerment of people at all Levels, the Mission Statement of this Information Technology Policy is Empowerment through Connectivity.

We believe that access to computers, connectivity to the Internet and availability of computer-based knowledge have the potential of transforming the already strong industrial base and vibrant agriculture of the state into a modern and knowledge-based economic powerhouse. Information Technology also has the potential of building a modern, computerized society. Our Mission is to empower the people of the state to realize the potential.

To achieve the above mission, it is necessary to ensure AAA connectivity, thereby leveraging the state’s core competency in HRD to attain a leading position in information Technology through strategic policy initiative in different areas.

The above objective is to be achieved through the following strategy planks:

• To provide to the people of the state a world-class Information Technology Infrastructure.
• To put in place an appropriate institutional mechanism for initiatives in Information Technology sector.
• To make the people of the state highly computer-literate and to produce top-class Information Technology professionals through strong HRD initiatives.
• To consolidate and greatly strengthen the Information Technology industry in the state including the software and hardware industry as well as Information Technology enabled Services through fiscal and non-fiscal.
• To computerise the Citizen-Government interface in order to make Government more transparent and to bring it closer to the people.

Within the next five years all the 673 Govt. / Semi-Govt. Secondary Schools and Higher Secondary Schools in the State will be provided with computer labs at a cost of Rs.15 lakh each. The total expenditure on this programme is expected to be Rs.96 crore in five years. In the first phase, the programme is implemented in 137 schools in the first two years.

Aided Secondary Schools will be encouraged to obtain private participation for setting up Computer Labs by permitting them commercial use of these facilities outside of school hours.

As and when Vidyanet, Ernet or Internet connectivity is made available, the same will be provided at Govt. cost to Govt. / Semi-Govt. secondary schools.

"Teach the Teachers" programme will be taken up in such a way that there is no mismatch between the availability of computer and trained teachers.

Engineering institutions like degree colleges, polytechnics and other specialized teaching institutions in the state will be encourages to expand their intake for Information Technology courses in a big way.

There is need to have a Software University to spearhead research, training and development in this area, The Government will welcome establishment of a software University by a reputed academic institution of national or international standing.

A wealth of relevant information and knowledge needs to be made available in electronics format to the people of the state so that they can reap the real benefits of information Technology. For this purpose, the state will set up a dedicated Center in the University of Pune for developing a Digital Library.

In order to encourage public TeleInfo centers, Govt. will provide Govt. land on lease for a period of at least 10 years on the same concessional terms and conditions as are applicable to educational Institutions. These centers will also be eligible for assistance under the Package Scheme of Incentives.

MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) will also develop plug and play Information Technology entrepreneurship incubation facilities at Navi Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur to encourage first generation software professional to start their operation quickly.

A Hardware Park will be set up over an area of 400 Ha in Navi Mumbai, Close to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

A host of fiscal and non-fiscal measures will be offered to the Information Technology industry in the state to consolidate the state’s leading position.

• Software industry will be allowed in resident, industrial and commercial zones.
• Software industry will be included as one of the permissible users the No Development Zone.
• 100% additional FSI for software Technology Parks set up by public bodies on payment of premium amounting to 25% of the market value.
• No MPCB (Maharashtra Pollution Control Board) clearance required for software units.
• Under the Package Scheme of Incentives, benefits meant for industrially backward ‘D’ areas will be extended to the Information Technology industry even in relatively advanced A, B, and C areas. This Scheme will be in operation till 2000 A.D.
• Sales Tax on hardware will be reduced to 2%, on packaged and off the shelf software to 1% and no customized software t 0%. These will not be raised for the next five years.
• Octroi charged by Local Bodies on Information Technology Industry will be refunded.
• Electricity Duty on power used by the Information Technology products will be waived.
• No stamp duty on property transactions within designated software/InfoTech parks as well as on instruments of software companies such as lease document, issue of shares etc. Registration charges will be Rs.1000 maximum.

The objective of use of Information Technology in Government will be to improve the quality and productivity of services rendered by Government, in order to make Government more transparent and to bring Information Technology to the Common Man.

The Warananagar Wired Village project will be replicated in other regions of the state. Computerization of Government department with very high public contact will be taken in the first phase.

INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

A Directorate of Information Technology has already been set up.

The High Power Committee already set up under the Chief Secretary for sanctioning computerization projects in Government will be re-constituted and empowered to take decisions regarding implementation of the Information Technology Policy.

A Cabinet Sub-Committee on Industrial Development has already been formed. This Committee will take final decisions in respect of the Information Technology Policy.

For Latest Development on the Subject, visit us at: http://www.maharashtra.gov.in

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