++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Below are some official statements, facts and figures
that give a hint of what progress Goa has (or has not)
made while promising to promote IT in the state:
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FROM THE ECONOMIC SURVEY 2001-02
* To equip students with IT skills and to compete with
recent trends of computerization in education, special
courses, viz Computer Software Application (in secondary
schools) and Computer Awareness Art (in higher secondary
schools) have been introduced.
* Upto March 2001, computers have been provided to all
higher secondary schools and 97 high schools. (Note: No
numbers of computers given mentioned. -FN) A provision
of Rs 70 million has been made during 2001-02 to cover all
remaining schools and purchase off hardware and software
is in progress.
* The Dept off IT has been created for evolving a "suitable
IT programme" with the "basic philosophy to realize the
dream of taking the benefits of ICT to the masses of Goa"
and "aiming to create an e-citizen for all transactions and
for all-purposes, towards making Goa the 'intelligent state'
of the decade".
* Govt claims to have initiated the following infrastructure
projects: hi-tech habitat, cyber-city/ICE city, IT resort.
* WAN: to involve all departments of the government with
various district HQs and the state capital. The various
blocks will be linked to district HQs and they, in turn, to
the state HQ through a lattice network.
* This would enable the government "to compress geographically
dispersed resources as though they were centralized". Govt can
use databases, telecom networks, and standardized processing
systems to get the benefits of scale and coordination, while
maintaining the benefits of flexibility and service.
* INITIATIVES TOWARD E-GOVERNANCE: (i) To use IT in the process
of governance and improve its response to its citizens (how will
this be done if officials don't respond to e-mail? --FN)
(ii) to have connectivity between all its officers (iii) to
computerise process of governance so that citizens could file
documents required by govt electronically (iv) to connect all
depts and district HQ with video conferencing (and e-mail)
with the CM's office to allow a channel of communication (v) to
put in place a training programme to enable govt employees to
use IT to enhance productivity.
* Other issues the Economic Survey talks about (mainly lofty
principles, low on specific commitments) include e-citizenship,
e-democracy, e-administration, e-security etc (see Page 82-84)
* Says the survey: "It is proposed to set up an International Institute
of Information Technology and Management (IIITM). The IIITM would
be modeled after the Indian Institute of Technology and would
have its own campus, and have the character of a national institution"
* "The common-man in the state is largely unaware of the benefits and
potential off IT in his day-to-day life. A massive awareness
campaign is therefore required to be launched, to educate people
about what IT can mean for improving their quality of life."
* "Incentives and support" being offered to IT:
- Exemption from Sales Tax, Sales Tax on Capital Goods, Entry Tax
- "In principle" decided to accord "maximum leverage in exemption,
wherever possible".
- NOC from Pollution Board, within environmental laws and regulations
- Zonal regulations sought to be relaxed to permit IT software and
IT-enabled commercial services in industrial and commercial
zones, residential and mofussil areas located in exclusive buildings
- Relaxation in FAR (floor-area ratio) being formulated for
IT parks and hi-tech habitat to be established by government.
- Concessions from Stamp Duty being formalised to attract investors
for rebate on payment of stamp duty on sale deed or lease deed
for premises to set up IT software and IT enabled services in
IT Park, HiTech Habitat (set up by govt or govt-approved private
parks) having minimum facilities like dedicated connectivity and
adequate back(?) power.
* STEPS INITIATED DURING 2001-2002
IT PROMOTION: (i) Dept with assistance of CII organised a
seminar on IT enabled services (ii) Natl Conf on E-Governance
was organised on Nov 8-9, 2001. (Just organising seminars? -FN)
IT COUNCIL: Two meetings held in April and May 2001. (? Since?)
INFRASTRUCTURE: (i) Dona Paula hitech habitat -- to be implemented as
joint-venture between GoG and "other parties". Process of identifying
the JV partner is in "an advanced stage (of) finalisation". (ii)
Proposed to set up Cyber City/ICE City at Mandrem-Morjim Plateau.
Preliminary work of land acquisition started and blueprint will be
prepared. (ii) Proposed to create a unique infrastructure as IT Resort
for high skilled IT professionals for "work-cum-leisure". Official
statement says "details are being fine-tuned".
E-GOVERNANCE: (i) Tenders floated for development of 10 departments
based SRS prepared by APTS. (ii) ITG/CDAC started on SRS of next
ten departments and system-study for four departments has been
commenced (iii) Training to govt servants is taken up by the
e-governance cell and around 3800 govt servants trained at various
locations (iv) ITG has taken steps for computerisation of police
dept. Expression of interest has been invited.
"MAJOR INITIATIVES IN THE PIPELINE":
* Hi-tech habitat proposed at Dona Paula on govt land, extending
over 70 acres. "Expected to create employment for about 10,000 people."
Software Technology Park of India has shown interest to set up a
high speed data communication in the hi-tech habitat, costing about
Rs 4.75 crore.
* Cyber City: Proposed at Mandrem-Morjim Plateau on private land
extending over 625 acres. Land costing about Rs 2.25 crore is under
acquisition. Government would bear the cost of land and the joint
venture partner would meet other fund requirements.
* IT Resort: Proposed at Mandrem-Harmal Plateau in Pernem taluka on
government land, over 44 acres.
* E-governance: Proposed Wide Area Network connecting blocks to
district HQ and state capital. Proposed to evolve integrated
service centres to provide various types of services at one point.
* Int'l Institute of IT: Modelled after IIT, having own campus and
character of a national institution.
* Quality IT training: Standard accreditation norms "would have to be
set up".
* Smart Cards: "It is proposed to provide all-purpose smart cards to all
citizens living in Goa and those visiting Goa." (!!!)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-=
To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet
===================================================================
For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead !
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!!
* * * *
Your ad here !!
