Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Friday, Mar 13, 2009
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Friday, Mar 13, 2009 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version | Audio | Blogs |
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Info-Tech
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Hardware Government - Industrial Policy Web Extras - Entertainment & Leisure States - Maharashtra New Maharashtra IT policy may benefit hardware, animation verticals Rahul Wadke Mumbai, March 12 The new information technology policy of the Maharashtra Government is on its way. Telecommunication, IT hardware and animation are some of the verticals which will receive incentives under the policy. This policy will remain in force from 2009 to 2014. Sources said that the policy is ready but due to the model code of conduct, it would only be announced after the elections. The policy would be called ‘Information Communication Technology’ policy, underlining the new emphasis on the communication sector. According to an internal document of the Government, fiscal benefits such as 100 per cent additional FSI for housing and recreational facilities at the layout level in IT-ITES parks, IT and telcom SEZs have been included in the policy. IT companies doing business in districts, having low score on the Human Development Index, will also attract similar FSI benefits. The document has also mentioned that IT and ITES units, except those manufacturing telecom and IT hardware can operate in any zone (industrial and residential) and shall derive all the benefits under the policy except the FSI benefits. On case-to-case basis, special package incentives would be given for setting up IT and telecom hardware manufacturing units in tier 2 and 3 cities and districts, which are on the lower rung of the HDI.
For the first time, companies in the business of animation, visual effects and gaming business will also receive incentives. Benefits given to the ITES companies in the earlier policies would now be given to these new entrants. Tax holidays of five years shall also be given on sales products and services for the companies, provided they have their registered offices in Maharashtra, the document said. Companies in IT, ITES and hardware sector that will setup units in low HDI districts would be given subsidy on electricity charges. It would be similar to the power subsidy currently enjoyed by agriculture and power loom sector. Given the rising problem of e-waste, the policy has laid emphasised on ‘green IT’ where the companies would be motivated to take back their products at the end of their life cycle and undertake recycling, sources said. The State Government will procure IT products only from such companies, which will fulfill the recycling criteria. Talking to Business Line, Dr Ganesh Natarajan, Vice-Chairman and CEO of Zensar Technologies, said that in the next round of the policy, stress should be given on creating skilled manpower. The current BCA, MCA and BSc (Computer Science) should be revamped. The faculty in educational institution should also undergo skill enhancement. Maharashtra has many colleges offering technical and IT programmes but their quality is poor. The policy should focus on these shortcomings, he said. More Stories on : Hardware | Industrial Policy | Entertainment & Leisure | Maharashtra
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