Ans.

Yes. With the objectives of overall growth of IT sector in the State, the Government of Gujarat declared IT Policy vide Government Resolution No.INP-1099-252-ITD dated 9.3.1999. The policy was known as IT Policy 1999-2004, valid till March 2004. The Government is now in the process of formulating a new IT policy, which will be announced shortly.

Ans.

State Government recognises the importance of setting up of an elaborate network to bring about seamless transition between various computing devices currently in use in the public domain or those, which may be put to use in future. This network would act as the core IT infrastructure in the State. To ensure proliferation, IT Department has decided to create this “information corridor”. Government of Gujarat has established Gujarat State Wide Area Network (GSWAN), which connects the State capital with all the Districts of the State up to Taluka Headquarters.

Yes. The State Government has set up an exclusive Industrial Estate at Gandhinagar for Electronic Industries, where plots and flatted factory sheds are made available to the entrepreneurs. The estate is equipped with all infrastructure and other social amenities.

An InfoCity is also set up in the State Capital of Gandhinagar to promote IT industry in the State. The City has Satellite Earth station of 120 MBPS connectivity, dedicated optical fibre cable for internet service, international leased data and voice connectivity, domestic leased data and voice connectivity, CAT6 structured cabling for voice and data, internet high speed data communication across the campus, state of the art telecommunication network, dedicated ISDN capable digital telephone exchange etc. The InfoCity has plans for 2000 residential accommodation, ultra modern clubhouse, luxury hotel, international school and banks, international shopping malls and multi cuisine food outlets convention/exhibition centre, round the clock Para medico facilities, post office, police station, gas station etc .

In addition, the Government of India has set up Software Technology Parks of India at Gandhinagar for promoting export oriented software companies. The Park has created all infrastructure facilities including International leased data and voice connectivity.

Ans.

Government Sector :

As a part of e-governance in the State, all the Departments have been asked to work out IT Action Plan which should have long term perspective. Even the State Government has earmarked 1% of the total budget for IT-related activities, which is expected to be increased to 3% in the coming years. Therefore, there is ample scope for software companies as well as hardware suppliers to harness business opportunities emerging in the Government Departments.

Private Sector :

Gujarat has distinct advantage of availability of land and skilled manpower at cheaper rates compared to other States. In addition, ready-made infrastrcture created at various specified locations like Electronic Estate, InfoCity etc makes Gujarat an ideal location for establishing IT projects and IT-related activities in the State. With the current trend of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), there is a good potential for setting up local and International Call Centres and Data Processing Centres in the State. In addition, Medical Transcription is another potential area, where the entrepreneurs can venture. There is also ample scope for setting up software development centres, especially off-shore activities for the clients overseas.

Ans.

Yes. To act as a nodal agency for IT activities in the State, a separate Information Technology Division has been created under General Administration Department, headed by an officer of the rank of Secretary. In addition, to oversee the implementation of IT strategies, each department has designated Chief Information Officer (CIO) who will report directly to the Secretary of the concerned Department.