'Gujarat has a lot of catching up to do in IT/ITES'

Mon, Sep 28 05:59 AM

National Knowledge Commission Chairman Sam Pitroda said on Sunday that Gujarat has to put in a lot of efforts in the next decade after having missed the first wave of IT/ITES revolution in the country.

"When the world talks of India as a major IT power, Gujarat doesn't come into the picture," said Pitroda. He was addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad through video conference from Chicago, the US, at the launch of the 3rd Eye Voice IT/ITES sez near the Science City.

He added: "Providing high quality physical infrastructure is a great start, but the real challenge lies in providing the right content by generating highly skilled human capacity." Pitroda, considered the father of Indian telecom revolution, said Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become all pervasive and its potential usage in railways, health, education and even the agriculture sector "is immense".

Gujarat Industries Minister Saurabh Dalal, who was also present at the launch, agreed with Pitroda. He said, "Now, the thrust in Gujarat is on producing technically skilled manpower by increasing the number of engineering and ITI seats in the state."

State Director General of Police S S Khandwawala, meanwhile, said the use of ICandT in the police department will "completely transform the way people look at us in the coming two-three years". "Be it passport applications, FIRs or any other matter, people will be able to approach any police station in the country with the click of a button," he added.

Dinsha Patel, Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, was also present at the function.

IT/ITES SEZ denotification only after recovering all subsidies: MinisterGujarat Industries Minister Saurabh Dalal admitted that some parties have malicious intentions while proposing an IT/ITES SEZ.

Notably, majority of the proposed IT/ITES SEZ in the state are being developed by real estate companies. This has led to apprehensions that these companies are in this business just to enjoy the tax benefits.

Dalal said, "All those real estate developers who want to de-notify their SEZs would be allowed to do so only after recovering the entire subsidies extended in the name of SEZ policy."

This is happening with the realty major DLF approaching the government for the de-notification of its proposed IT SEZ in Gandhinagar, he added.

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