The Hindu Business Line : Free software to be used in all depts of State Govt

The State Government will introduce free software in all the government departments in a phased manner, the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, said in the State Assembly on Tuesday.

Replying to questions, he said that steps had been initiated to establish an international centre for free and open software in the State.

He said the State Government need not oppose the amendment to the Emigration Act that the sponsors should furnish a bank guarantee of $2,500 to recruit those who had not passed SSLC. This had been introduced to prevent unethical practices, he added.

The amendment says that the embassies will return the money after confirming that the recruitment norms have not been violated. However, this condition did not apply to registered recruiting companies, he noted.

Cost of drugs

The Finance Minister, Dr Thomas Isaac, told the House that stringent action would be taken action against medical shops that collected additional tax over and above the maximum retail price. The maximum retail price included all taxes and traders who collected excess price would be penalised, he said.

The Minister for Civil Supplies and Animal Husbandry, Mr C. Divakaran, said that the Government had prepared a draft law to curb the entry of multinationals into the retail sector. On its part, the Government would open more Supplyco outlets and mobile Maveli stores.

In reply to another question, he said that there were no restrictions on opening margin-free shops. But action would be taken against those cheating the customers, he added.