The Hindu Business Line : Draft IT policy aims to make Kerala an inclusive knowledge society

Key features
Government to set up an International Research and Development Centre for Free Software and Free Knowledge.
The rights of people employed in the IT industry to be protected.
Special incentives to start-up IT units.

Thiruvananthapuram , Jan. 17

Kerala's draft IT policy, which was released here today, aims to turn the State into an inclusive knowledge society and places special emphasis on promoting free software.

Releasing the draft policy, the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, who also holds the IT portfolio, said that the State Government's policy is to ensure that information and communication technologies (ICT) are used for the development of all sections of society. The draft policy is available on several Government Web sites, including www.keralaitmission.org.

In keeping with its opposition to creating knowledge monopolies, the State Government's policy is to encourage the use of free software, the Chief Minister said. The policy declares: "The Government will take all efforts to develop free software and free knowledge and shall encourage and mandate the appropriate use of free software in all ICT initiatives."

As part of its efforts to develop Kerala into a free software destination, the Government will set up an International Research and Development Centre for Free Software and Free Knowledge in the State. Similarly, the Government will provide special incentives to companies that develop free and open source software, the policy adds.

The State Government will work to protect the rights of people employed in the IT industry, Mr Achuthanandan said. On special economic zones (SEZs) for the IT industry, he emphasised that the Left Democratic Front has views on this concept that are different from those held by others. Conventional SEZs will not be encouraged in Kerala, he added.

While the Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram and the Infopark in Kochi will be expanded, the Government will also set up IT parks in other parts of the State, he said. The Government will identify land for this purpose and give special incentives to IT companies that start operations in locations other than Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.

INCENTIVES

Special incentives will be given to companies that start knowledge-intensive and high value ICT operations in Kerala. Similarly, special incentives will also be offered to start-up IT units and IT units in the small and medium enterprises sector.

An industry promotion cell will be set up to disseminate information about investment opportunities in Kerala's IT sector and to assist potential investors. The Government will partner with industry to establish finishing schools for young people looking to work in the IT sector.

Recognising that the ICT industry requires flexible working conditions, amendments, if required, will be made to existing laws, the policy states.

Kerala will make maximum use of ICT in governance and will structure its e-governance projects based on the National E-governance Plan. Free and open source software will be used in e-governance projects to the maximum extent possible and preferential treatment will be given to free software in such projects.

IT PROMOTION

The Government will launch special programmes to promote the use of ICT among workers, women and the youth. Similarly, creation of content in Malayalam will be a priority. Projects such as Akshaya, IT@School and FRIENDS that are intended to make ICT accessible to all sections of society will be strengthened.

On fiscal incentives for the IT sector, the draft policy states: "The Government will announce fiscal incentives towards meeting the objectives outlined in the policy document."

Mr K.R. Jyothilal, Director, Kerala State IT Mission, said that suggestions from the public and from various industry stakeholders on the draft policy will be sought over the next few weeks. The final version of the IT policy will be ready in about a month, he added.

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