IT ministry to set up software product council with outlay of Rs 1,500 cr

The Mission is part of the implementation plan of the National Policy on Software Products, which was notified by the Cabinet in February, just before the general elections began

Indian product companies like InMobi, Freshdesk, Tally and others may have a reason to rejoice if the government’s ongoing efforts to implement a software product policy come to fruition.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is working on creating a software product council, including members from the government, academia and industry that will work on implementing a software product mission.

The Mission is part of the implementation plan of the National Policy on Software Products, which was notified by the Cabinet in February, just before the general elections began

“All the major stakeholders and people who matter in the software product industry are represented. We have taken certain inputs from major stakeholders, and based on their inputs we have proposed an architecture,” said a senior official at the MeitY.

The policy has an initial outlay of Rs 1,500 crore for seven years, and aims to lead a tenfold increase in India’s share of global software market by 2025.

“The idea is to engage with MeitY on a continuous basis, and build a mechanism for industry to work with the ministry,” said one of the people working on the Mission from the industry side.

The software product policy will also promote 10,000 technology start-ups in software product industry, including 1,000 in tier-2 and tier-3 towns, generating direct and indirect employment for 3.5 million people by 2025, creating a talent pool by improving skills of 1 million IT professionals, 100,000 school and college students, and training 10,000 professionals for leadership roles.

Work has also begun on building an Indian software product registry, which will act as a common pool of Indian software products, the ministry official added.

HSN Codes for software products

HSN Codes or harmonised system of nomenclature is a set of codes used to classify merchandise that is traded across borders.

Under the goods and services tax regime, all IT software has been treated as a service, which can be sold under a “licence to use”, while software products are classified as “goods” eligible for cross-border trade.

Bengaluru-based product software think tank iSPIRT has often spoken about the need to provide for a ‘Digital Goods’ regime (which) will help India embark upon a software product wave. The ministry official said a resolution to this was also being discussed. “We are also discussing to identify and specify HSN codes, which is a customs tariff structure. We are discussing if they can be given to intangible goods status for software products,” he added.

It is understood that if these issues are resolved, the codes will be applicable to both existing and new product software firms.

Policy Road Map

• The software product council will include members from govt, academia and industry
• Policy aims to lead to tenfold increase in India’s share of global software market by 2025
• It will promote 10,000tech start-ups and build an Indian software product registry

Source : https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/it-ministry-to-set-up-software-product-council-with-outlay-of-rs-1-500-cr-119060800896_1.html

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Google to bring affordable internet access to rural India with Project Loon

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Project Loon: How Google plans to use balloons to connect India

Google to bring affordable internet access to rural India with Project Loon

Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said on December 11 in Parliament that Google's Loon could create technical glitches as it would interfere with cellular transmission

Global search giant Google’s Project Loon to provide internet across geographies comes across as an intriguing idea, especially as it is to be done using floating balloons. The idea caused more curiosity in India when Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai said in a press meet on Wednesday that his company was bringing balloon-powered internet to India.

Earlier, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had on December 11 revealed in Parliament that Google’s Loon could create technical glitches as it would interfere with cellular transmission. The company then began talks with the government and it seemed the results were on Google’s side. More clarity emerged on Wednesday as Pichai and Marian Croak, vice-president of access strategy and emerging markets, reaffirmed that the “floating towers” would be launched in India soon. A positive response from the government, though, remains awaited.

Connecting India

Google wants to fully connect India, and there is a reason for this. India is the world’s second-most-populous country, next only to China. And, the country has a younger population when compared with China. With better internet penetration, a company like Google will be able to reach a wider mass of people.

To achieve this, Google launched RailWire Wifi in India in October, to provide free WiFi at 400 railway stations across the country, an approach different from Facebook’s Internet.org, which was later renamed Free Basic.

Google decided to further develop the internet connectivity in countries with poor connections through balloons. Under Project Loon, Google will use network of balloons travelling through stratosphere.

Examples

Google first launched Project Loon in New Zealand, and was later carried it to Brazil, Australia and recently Indonesia. According to Croak, who did not reveal much, the project, which is in the testing stage at present, has shown tremendous results; there is not much problem in cellular transmission and sharing the spectrum has solved many problems. She said they have talked about the issue with telecom around the world.

In Indonesia, the project was launched in partnership with three companies — Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Indosat — said a Google employee who was involved with Project Loon in the country. Instead of buying a new spectrum there, they partnered with telecom companies and shared their existing spectrum. In India, too, the project would partner with telecom companies, Croak said.

Floating tower?

The Project Loon balloons will travel 20 km above the surface, in the stratosphere, through which airplanes also fly. A software will be installed in these balloons to determine the direction of these floating objects. The balloons will form a network and deliver signals using the LTE technology. It will catch signals and redistribute them, making internet available to even rural parts. According to Croak, these balloons will be able to provide high-speed internet, like 4G.


News : http://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/project-loon-how-google-plans-to-use-balloons-to-connect-india-115121700504_1.html

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If the project is a success it could deliver high-speed internet to hundreds of millions of people in remote areas of the world.

News : http://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/google-tests-high-speed-internet-beaming-balloons-01405474#i1dRlMYLDu7m3oTf.99

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Google Vice President (Access Strategy and Emerging Markets) Marian Croak said the company is “passionate” about building and deploying new Internet infrastructure around the world : -

“One of the technologies that we have in our portfolio is Project Loon. It’s a project that we are working on with local telcos all across the world. “And we are testing these high altitude balloons which literally act as almost like floating cell towers… To connect people in hard to reach regions that are scarcely populated and we are working to hopefully bring Project Loon to India in rural communities that have very few people connected to the Internet,” she said.
Google, under its Project Loon, is using big balloons floating at a height of 20 kilometers above earth surface for transmission of Internet services. It has already tested this technology in New Zealand, California (the US) and Brazil. As per Google, each balloon can provide connectivity to a ground area about 40 kms in diameter using a wireless communications technology called LTE or 4G.

To use LTE or 4G, Project Loon partners with telecom companies to share cellular spectrum so that people will be able to access the Internet everywhere directly from their phones and other LTE-enabled devices. Google uses solar panel and wind to power electronic equipment in the balloon throughout the day.



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IPv6 critical for smart city projects

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IPv6 critical for smart city projects


TNN | Aug 7, 2015, 04.13AM IST


VISAKHAPATNAM: Expressing the need to adopt Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) on a priority basis, senior advisor from
APNIC (Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre) Australia, Srinivas Chendi said IPv6 is critical for all smart city and Digital India projects, which will depend on publicly routable IP addresses for monitoring and data collection.

Participating in a seminar on IPv6 awareness and IT security organised by Vizag Information Technology Association (VITA) in the city on Thursday, Chendi also offered to conduct a law enforcement agency workshop for police and judicial wings of the AP government as part of the community development of APNIC.

He said that ANPIC had conducted similar programmes for Delhi police and various agencies across the Asia Pacific.


VITA secretary Winston Adams urged all IT and ITeS member companies to consciously take measures on internet security to protect the intellectual property of their respective organisations. He requested Datasoft Comnet CEO Durga Prasad to coordinate with ANPIC Australia and organise a three-day certification workshop in the city.


News : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/IPv6-critical-for-smart-city-projects/articleshow/48383929.cms



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Soon, plug-n-play facility for startups at Udyog Bhavan, Panaji, Goa

TNN | Nov 12, 2015, 03.17AM IST



Panaji: In a major boost to the state's information technology (IT) aspirations, the department of information and technology has finally heeded the call for a plug-n-play office space for startups. Having picked Udyog Bhavan in Panaji as the location for the initiative, the department has requested the Goa state infrastructure development corporation ( GSIDC) to design the office within three months.

Plug-n-play offices provide desk space with internet connectivity, power supply, and conference areas for meetings. In doing this, they fulfil an essential need for startups during their initial phases, when funding is scarce. The government will offer the service in the heart of the capital in a bid to handhold startups, which form a major chunk of the IT presence in the state.

"Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) will operate the facility and put in its own funds.
We hope to have the office ready within three months," director of information and technology, Shilpa Shinde, said. STPI is a statutory body and an internet and incubation service provider. Its key role is to incubate export-oriented startups.

Earlier in August, around 35 startup representatives met with the state's IT department to discuss this issue of a plug-n-play facility, besides other crucial matters such as seed funding and incentives for IT companies.

Initially, the department had identified buildings vacated by schools that moved to Cujira, as well as an office space occupied by a global business solutions company. It was even considering leasing the premises and subsequently offering it to STPI. Discussions, however, soon fizzled out, sources said. The government eventually zeroed in on the second floor of the Udyog Bhavan, which was earlier occupied by the department of mines and geology.

STPI will also operate an incubator for export startups on the premises. The launch of the incubator, expected in the last quarter of 2015-16, will take the number of government-aided incubators in Goa to four. Goa currently has two incubators - one at Verna and the other at Assagao - and another that is jointly-run by the department of industries, trade and commerce, and the Goa chamber of commerce and industry ( GCCI).


News : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Soon-plug-n-play-facility-for-startups-at-Udyog-Bhavan/articleshow/49750697.cms



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STPI gives away Export Awards

Bengaluru, Dec 10, 2015, DHNS:

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous society under the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, on Wednesday presented the Export Awards 2015 for IT, ITES, and electronic hardware companies under eight different categories.

The STPI IT Export Awards, which form part of the 18th edition of Karnataka’s premier IT summit Bengaluru ITE.biz, is given on performance parameters like consistency in exports, employment of women, and differently abled manpower employment for financial year 2014-15.

Besides 23 companies, STPI presented ‘IT Pride of Karnataka’ awards to 22 IT, ITeS, and electronic hardware companies that have embarked into the ‘Billion Club’ category (with exports exceeding Rs 1,000 crore).

Infosys has been recognised as the ‘IT Ratna of Karnataka’ for its consistent and outstanding performance in IT exports (exceeding Rs 10,000 crore), and for being the highest exporter and employer in Karnataka.

While the highest new jobs creator award in IT segment was bagged by CGI Information Systems & Management Consultants, the highest exports per employee — IT  was given to Qualcomm India. Chief guest K Kasturirangan, and guest of honour Kris Gopalakrishnan gave away the awards. Principal Secretary, Department of IT, BT and S&T V Manjula, IAS, Director General, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Omkar Rai, were also present.

News Source : http://www.deccanherald.com/content/516543/stpiamp8200gives-away-export-awards.html



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Centre gives final approval for 4 STPIs - Angul, Sambalpur, Jajpur and Jeypore in Odisha

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 Centre gives final approval for 4 STPIs - Angul, Sambalpur, Jajpur and Jeypore in Odisha



Bhubaneswar: Days after union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to accord approval for four STPI projects in Odisha, the centre has granted its final approval for the projects, said sources in the state government.

Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday requested Prasad to accord approval for four new Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in Odisha.

The state of Odisha has got a rich talent pool in the Information Technology sector. In fact, the State has developed as an education hub of Eastern India, with a number of engineering colleges engaged in imparting education and skill development in the region, noted Pradhan while pleading for the STPIs.

Presently, there are three STPIs already operating in Odisha and one is about to be commissioned. Feasibility report with respect to the establishment of STPIs of four locations, namely, Angul, Sambalpur, Jajpur and Jeypore (Koraput) have been submitted for the final approval to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, he said.

Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday requested Prasad to accord approval for four new Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in Odisha.

The state of Odisha has got a rich talent pool in the Information Technology sector. In fact, the State has developed as an education hub of Eastern India, with a number of engineering colleges engaged in imparting education and skill development in the region, noted Pradhan while pleading for the STPIs.

Presently, there are three STPIs already operating in Odisha and one is about to be commissioned.
Feasibility report with respect to the establishment of STPIs of four locations, namely, Angul, Sambalpur, Jajpur and Jeypore (Koraput) have been submitted for the final approval to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, he said.

- See more at: http://www.prameyanews7.com/en/nov2015/odisha/7060/Centre-gives-final-approval-for-4-STPIs-STPI-Dharmendra-Pradhan-Ravi-Shankar-Odisha.htm#sthash.sYDam4gW.dpuf





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Brickwork India Sangeeta Kulkarni gets STPI IT Export award

BENGALURU, DECEMBER 9:  

Sangeeta Kulkarni, co-founder and CEO of Brickwork India, has been awarded the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) IT Export award, ‘Woman Entrepreneur of the Year – IT” for 2014-2015.

Ms Kulkarni was felicitated at the STPI IT Export Awards 2014-15 function held in Bengaluru.

The event was co-hosted by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and was held as a part of BangalorITE.biz (2015), India’s premier IT & Electronics event.

She received the award from Dr Kasturirangan, former chairman of ISRO and Space Commission, ex-member of Rajya Sabha and Kris Gopalakrishnan co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, Infosys Ltd.

Under Ms Kulkarni’s leadership, Brickwork has experienced all-round business growth and has become the world’s largest provider of remote executive assistance services. With strong focus on business excellence, she has driven revenue growth over 500 per cent which is an achievement in itself for a business that is highly complex, diverse and demanding.

She has built a global brand catering to diverse service requirements of clients located across 116 countries by implementing innovative business & people practices and strongly leveraging processes and technologies.

News : http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/brickwork-india-sangeeta-kulkarni-gets-stpi-it-export-award/article7966505.ece


Brickwork Founder Profile : 

Vivek has over 25 years of experience in managing different verticals of Business and Government departments. He was the Information Technology & Biotechnology Secretary, Government of Karnataka, Bangalore. During his tenure in Government, he was instrumental in building world-class information technology and Biotech institutes and corporate events in Karnataka. He promoted public-private partnership in Governance. Between 2000 and 2003 he worked actively in marketing Bangalore as the undisputed IT Capital of India. Prior to IT Secretary, he worked as Finance Secretary in Govt. of Karnataka, Head of CRISIL Advisory Services as well as the Division Chief SEBI. He was a faculty at the Boston University as well as the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. At present, he is a visiting professor in finance at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Vivek had pioneered the ‘remote executive assistant’ concept through Brickwork India, which received worldwide acclaim through various publications such as the New York Times bestseller authors, Thomas Friedman (The World is Flat) and Timothy Ferris (The 4-hour work week).Other publications like Fortune; Business Week - China-India survey; The Sunday Times; Esquire as well as several TV channels in the US and Europe have given coverage of Vivek's work




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SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY PARK OF INDIA CENTER IS PROPOSED IN AGRA

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SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY PARK OF INDIA CENTER IS PROPOSED IN AGRA


Software Technology Parks:-

In order to boost software exports the State Govt. has promoted the scheme of Software Technology Parks (STP) at Noida, Kanpur, Lucknow and Allahabad. These parks have been setup by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) an autonomous body setup by MIT. (earlier called the DOE) Govt. of India. Under this scheme a land of approximately 02 acres is made available by the State Govt. free of cost alongwith Rs. 01 Crore as grant-in-aid to STPI.

STPI is providing the following main facilities to its registered units with the various Software Technology Parks :-

Single window clearance
Fast speed data communication facilities
Facility of incubation centre
100% rebate on import of Hardware and Software
Reimbursement of amount paid against CST
Availability of certificate for export at a single point
Consultancy for value aided services - Video Conferencing, Disaster Recovery, Data Centre, Web-hosting VOIP, VPN etc


Presently software Technology Park is proposed at Agra. The land has been selected by STPI under the Shastripuram Scheme of the Agra Development Authority. The Govt. has been requested for necessary funds for establishing the Park.

Source : http://www.uplc.in/PromotionServicesDivision.aspx







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Progressive Punjab summit to focus on startups

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 Progressive Punjab summit to focus on startups


CHANDIGARH: Progressive Punjab Investor Summit 2015 scheduled for October 28 to 29 in Mohali will focus on startup businesses in the state by providing budding entrepreneurs an international platform to present their innovative ideas before those who have already made a mark in the industrial sector. It is for the first time that the summit is joining hands with Startup Accelerator Chamber of Commerce (SACC).

An official spokesperson said that 'Startup Weekend Punjab' will be a 54-hour new business ideas marathon to be held at Entrepreneurship Development Centre, IT Park in Chandigarh. The final business idea would be showcased before eminent guests from all over the country and prominent jury from industry, finance and academic backgrounds at the Indian School of Business (ISB), Mohali, on October 29.

The winners at this enterprise would be provided with free working space and bandwidth for six months up to one year by SACC,
  Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and Progressive Punjab. Besides, all participants would be awarded with certificates. Google and Amazon being the partners of Startup Weekend Globally would award web/tech support prizes to participants.

Hry lowers stock limit of pulses for traders

Chandigarh: Haryana government has reduced the stock limit for retailers to control increasing prices of pulses and to check hoarding. The limit for dealers, including wholesalers, distribution agents and seller agents, has been reduced to 250 quintals from 500 quintals and 25 quintals from 50 quintals for retailers.

Official teams would extensively check stock holdings of all pulses in their respective districts to ensure that manufacturers, dealers and retailers have not stored more stock than the prescribed limit.

Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Wednesday that if any retailer was found keeping stock of pulses more than the prescribed limit, he would face action under the Haryana Prevention of Hoarding and Maintenance of Quality Order, 1977.

News Source : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Progressive-Punjab-summit-to-focus-on-startups/articleshow/49372194.cms 

TNN | Oct 15, 2015, 09.43 AM IST

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Narendra Modi says IT sector can become face of India

Modi said e-governance needs to be pushed to the fore to improve accessibility of govt initiatives for citizens

Narendra Modi >>
why I keep saying IT plus IT is equal to IT i.e. India Talent plus Information Technology is equal to India Tomorrow.
“E-governance has the potential to become the greatest problem solver of the people (and) in doing so (will provide) empowerment , equity, efficiency. It helps everything to deliver the desired goal of minimum government and maximum governance,” said Modi

We have marketed hardware a lot from phones to laptops—we see strength in that,” said Modi but added that the real strength is in software

Social media can further enhance the reach. It can be effectively used by every citizen. For me, social media is a medium that helps me understand the ambition of people and would reach me easily and sometimes it touches my heart. 

To my mind, the digital divide means that a person can get the benefit of IT in remote villages,” said Modi, adding, “If you have to develop backward regions in the country, developing infrastructure should be based on an inclusive model.”

Mumbai: Gujarat chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Friday called for an increase in e-governance initiatives to improve accessibility to citizens and said India’s $118-billion information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) industry has the potential to improve millions of lives and become the face of India.

“Aap kalpana kar sakte hai ki just with the help of IT hum kitne gareeb logon ko rozi roti de sakte hai. (You can imagine how much we can help poor people earn their daily bread with the help of IT). That is why I keep saying IT plus IT is equal to IT i.e. India Talent plus Information Technology is equal to India Tomorrow. The IT sector can be the shining light of brand India,” said Modi, addressing technology executives at the software lobby group Nasscom’s India Leadership Forum 2014 by video conference (which he pointed out was possible only because of technology).

Modi, who earlier this week met US ambassador Nancy Powell in a sign of thawing relations with the US, said that the issue of e-governance needs to be advocated and pushed to the fore to improve accessibility of government initiatives for common citizens.

“E-governance is the most easy, effective and economical governance. It’s one of the most useful fields of information technology,” said the 63-year-old Modi.

“E-governance has the potential to become the greatest problem solver of the people (and) in doing so (will provide) empowerment , equity, efficiency. It helps everything to deliver the desired goal of minimum government and maximum governance,” said Modi.

Modi called upon India’s IT sector to help bridge the digital divide in a country, which has the third-highest number of Internet users in the world after China and the US at 150 million, but where penetration accounts for just 12.58% of the country’s population of about 1.2 billion.

“We have been talking of the digital divide. Is it relevant only for seminars and conferences? To my mind, the digital divide means that a person can get the benefit of IT in remote villages,” said Modi, adding, “If you have to develop backward regions in the country, developing infrastructure should be based on an inclusive model.”

“If there is a road, school or electricity in remote areas, life will change drastically. In the coming days, inclusive infrastructure information technology, optical network (and) broadband facility will play a key role. In looking at inclusive development, there should be no delay—we should remove digital divide from the country,” added Modi. “It’s (the) collective responsibility of IT firms and professionals that we will reduce the digital divide to solve problems.”

“We have marketed hardware a lot from phones to laptops—we see strength in that,” said Modi but added that the real strength is in software.

Modi also said that India needs to focus more on developing software and that the power of the social media needed to be used more effectively to reach more parts of the country’s population. Modi himself tweets a lot, and as on 14 February, he had about 3.38 million followers and had posted 3,910 tweets.

“Social media can further enhance the reach. It can be effectively used by every citizen. For me, social media is a medium that helps me understand the ambition of people and would reach me easily and sometimes it touches my heart. Social media has given me new inspiration, new strength. So far, software and the Internet had been limited to people. When (these) activities pick up, the digital divide will go away, (and) the IT industry will flourish and our country will progress,” he added.

Modi also called for greater focus on manufacturing more technology products out of India, especially in sectors such as defence.

“Electronics imports are a big share in import basket. In a few years from now, (electronics) import bill will be bigger than oil imports. You can understand the challenge. We must focus on manufacturing and worry on manufacturing in strategic sectors like defence. I am personally a great advocate of technology, I know that it will transform our lives,” said Modi.

Modi cautioned that cyber security needs to be addressed by the IT sector.

“We are living in a time where wars will be fought in the cyber space. Your homes will be broken (into) through cyber medium. Creating cyber security by using technology like CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras in banks and other places will bring another way of reducing the digital divide,” said Modi.

He also called on the Indian IT industry to create a new corporate social responsibility (CSR) network to reduce dropout rates from schools.

“All your companies can come together build a task force through a CSR network—how to track school going kids, information gathering, online-offline co-ordination and how we can reduce the dropout rate by 5-7% with the help of information technology network—it’s a good thing,” said Modi. “It’s not difficult for you to install software and follow it.”

 FIRST PUBLISHED: FRI, FEB 14 2014. 06 40 PM IST

News Source >> http://www.livemint.com/Industry/ZX41jK9UybM1QzWwTbSQAK/Narendra-Modi-says-IT-sector-can-become-face-of-India.html



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Link pay of govt workers with productivity, recommends finance panel

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 Link pay of govt workers with productivity, recommends finance panel


NEW DELHI: The 14th Finance Commission has suggested linking pay with productivity with a focus on technology, skills and incentives, a move aimed at raising the productivity of government employees. 

The panel has recommended that in future additional remuneration be linked to increase in productivity. 

The Seventh Pay Commission is expected to submit its recommendations by August and it has been asked to look at the issue of raising productivity and improving the overall quality of public services in the country.

The Sixth Pay Commission had also said that steps should lead to improvement in the existing delivery mechanism by more delegation and de-layering and an emphasis on achieving quantifiable and concrete end results. Emphasis is to be on outcome rather than processes, it had said. The earlier Pay Commissions had also made several recommendations to enhance productivity and improve administration. 

The 14th Finance Commission's recommendations assume significance at a time when the Narendra Modi government has focused its attention to improve the delivery of public services and is taking steps to use technology to improve efficiency. 

The Union government has taken several steps to shore up the bureaucracy and has changed the way attendance is measured in government offices. 

"Further we recommend that Pay Commissions be designated as Pay and Productivity Commissions with a clear mandate to recommend measures to improve productivity of an employee," said the 14th Finance Commission headed by former Reserve Bank of India Governor Y.V. Reddy. 

The Reddy panel said productivity per employee can be raised through the application of technology in public service delivery and in public assets created. 

"Raising the skills of employees through training and capacity building also has a positive impact on productivity. The use of appropriate technology and associated skill development require incentives for employees to raise their individual productivities," the Reddy led panel said. 

"A Pay Commission's first task, therefore, would be identify the right mix of technology and skills for different categories of employees. The next step would be to design suitable financial incentives linked to measureable performance," the panel said. 

An internal study by the Commission showed that the expenditure on pay and allowances (excluding expenditure for Union territories) more than doubled for the period 2007-08 to 2012-13 from Rs 46,230 crore to Rs 1.08 lakh crore.

News Source : TNN | Feb 27, 2015, 12.18 AM IST / http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Link-pay-of-govt-workers-with-productivity-recommends-finance-panel/articleshow/46388833.cms


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Delhi University sets up electronics incubator in tie-up with STPI

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 Delhi University sets up electronics incubator in tie-up with STPI

NEW DELHI, FEB 22:
The first-of-its-kind ‘Electropreneur Park’ to support start-ups in electronic design and manufacturing has been set up at Delhi University and will become functional from next month.

The said incubator has been set up in the varsity’s South Campus by a consortium comprising Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), under the Union Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the India Electronics and Semi Conductors Association (IESA), with an investment of Rs. 21 crore.

“We have signed an MoU with the STPI and IESA has also been involved in the project. The park has been set up on DU campus and our students will be the beneficiaries. The funding has been provided by the Government through STPI,” DU Registrar Tarun Das told PTI.

He said there was a disconnect between developments in industry and programmes in academic institutions.

“The park has been set up to bridge this gap and provide an entrepreneurial platform to students,” he added.

“We have been seeking STPI’s help in the past too for functioning of the computer centres in DU, installation of various software and hardware. Both our campuses are Wi-Fi zones and we had roped in STPI for that too,” Das said.

While the IESA is the implementation agency for the project, it has also roped in Cybermedia India Ltd (CMIL) to support it in execution of the project.

With STPI providing funding and management of the incubation centre and DU the infrastructure, knowledge experts and incubatees, IESA and CMIL will provide an industry connect, mentoring, technical know-how, promotion and outreach in addition to venture capital access for the incubatees.

The park which is the first of its kind to be established in the country has infrastructural facilities such as world-class testing systems and measuring equipment, and will become functional next month.

A model of the park was also set up at the university’s ongoing cultural and academic festival ‘Antardhwani’.

“The incubation park aims at providing budding entrepreneurs with tools that are generally very expensive.

The Centre will not only provide the infrastructure but enable access to domain experts, mentors, shared consultants and services. It will also help innovators seek funding from foreign investors, venture capitalists and angel investors,” said Dr Sanjeev Singh, member of the Projects Monitoring Committee.

“At the park, we aim to set up 50 enterprises in five years. We will invite ideas from young entrepreneurs and a panel of experts from industry and academia. Ten ideas every year will be selected and nurtured,” he said.

(This article was published on February 22, 2015)

Source : http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/delhi-university-sets-up-electronics-incubator-in-tieup-with-stpi/article6921897.ece


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Wi-Fi Gulmarg still a distant dream

Omar’s pet project fails to take off

Srinagar: Four years after being formally launched by the former chief minister, Omar Abdullah, the much hyped hi tech Gulmarg Wi-Fi project continues to be in doldrums as the government failed to make it operational completely.
The Wi-Fi project was set up in 2011 to keep Gulmarg connected not only with rest of the world but to ensure tourists  with services like Gondola tickets, air tickets and to avail other online benefits on the spot.
It was also established that time interventions are made to meet natural calamities like avalanches and blockades.
Initially the project was targeting to provide internet services to the tourist bowl in areas with poor connectivity like Gulmarg, Kongdoori and Apharwat coving an area of five square kilometers. "The hi- tech project was first of its kind in state to attract foreign tourists. The devices used have been designed with lightening protection which can withstand temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius and heavy snow-storms," said an official from Gulmarg Development Authority(GDA) ," adding, the Wi-Fi network was regarded as one of the highest Wi-Fi zones in the world at an altitude of 4120 metres above sea level.
Now when the government had already spent lakhs of rupees on the projects to procure costly equipments including power backing system to ensure the functioning of the project even in minus 40 degrees, the project is not benefitting the tourists visiting from across the world. "The project was handed over to Gulmarg Cable Car Corporation. Right now the project is in its initial stage and will take some time. So far the hoteliers have using their own internet system," said Chief Executive Officer GDA, Nazir Ahmad Mir .
"The Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA) has provided Rs 19 lakh while the Cable Car Corporation invested an amount of Rs 13 lakh for WIFI and the project has been implemented through Kashmir University," he said.
It is worth to mention that the project was conceived, designed and implemented by the network design team from Directorate of Information Technology and Support System (IT & SS), University of Kashmir with bandwidth being provided by Software Technology Park of India (STPI).
Although, the Directorate of IT&SS KU had claimed that the project was completed in a record time of 4 months, but in places like Kangdoori, Apharwat tourists face poor connectivity in terms of internet and other facilities. "The Gulmarg being one of the famous destination should have such facilities. It should at par with Switzerland where visitors enjoy different facilities even in heavy snowfall," said a group of tourists who had visited here from West Bengal.
Officials from the Gulmarg Cable Car Corporation said the service was stopped because the authority alone could bear the huge monthly bills. "We are using V-sat services and the billing per month would touch lakhs of rupees. The department could bear the huge amount due to which the service was stopped," Executive Engineer Mechanical wing Gulmarg Cable Car Corporation said


Source : http://www.kashmirmonitor. in/news-wi-fi-gulmarg-still-a-distant-dream-78706.aspx


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STPI Director calls on CM

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STPI Director calls on CM 

The Director General of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) Dr. Omkar Rai called onChief Minister Nabam Tuki at New Delhi on 3 December 2014 and expressed interest of his organization to set up a Software Technology Park facility in the state.STPI is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Communications and InformationTechnology, Government of India and is a leading player in the field of IT and IT Enabled Services working towards developing Single Window Systems for Software/Hardware development, Data Communications and Incubation Spaces for Startup IT companies.Tuki expressed the vision of his Government to develop the IT sector in the state and mentioned that the same should be intricately linked to employment generation, avenues forIT Entrepreneurship in both Hardware and Software, among others. The Director General informed that the STPI has been instrumental in shaping the IT Revolution in India since itsinception in 1989 and created lakhs of jobs over the years.STPIs across the country are synonymous with excellent Infrastructure and Statutory support aimed at furthering growth of Information Technology in the country, Dr. Omkar said. He assured the Chief Minister that an STPI facility in the state would enhance the scope for theyouth to realize their full potential not only in terms of employment but also in starting new business ventures on their own.The STPI facility would also result in an environment conducive for leading IT and BPO companies of international repute to set up their establishments in the state thereby creating employment and also bringing investment to the state.

The Chief Minister agreed to provide all necessary support for establishment of the Software Technology Park and invited the Director General to Itanagar to complete the modalities for the same so that the Park could be established at the earliest. The Director General and key officials of STPI will visit the state in the second week of December. The development comes in the backdrop of the CMs continued impetus on creating job opportunities for one lac youth of the state by 2017. It may be mentioned that the CM’s Skill Development Programme was awarded India’s Best Project – 2014 by leading international research agency Skoch lastmonth. Secretary Planning Sonam Chombay was also present during the meeting and shared his perspective on the Government’s plans to promote the IT scenario in the state.

Source : http://arunachalpradesh.gov.in/csp_ap_portal/pdf/Documents/STPI-director-calls-on-CM.pdf



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Centre grants six new STPI units for Odisha

With the current approval, the state will now boast of having 10 STPI units


Agreeing to the state government’s demand, the Union ministry of communications & information technology has accorded in principle approval for establishment of six new STPI (software technological parks of India) centres in Odisha.

Union minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, in a letter to the state IT minister, Pranab Prakash Das has apprised the latter about the approval. Prasad has directed the concerned officials to take steps for setting up the new centres. The approved STPIs will be located at Jajpur, Sambalpur, Koraput (Jeypur), Angul and Kalahandi (Bhawanipatana).

It may be noted that Das had earlier written to the Centre proposing the locations for six new STPI units. In his meeting with the Union minister on July 7, Das had raised the demand for these new centres.

With the current approval, the state will now boast of having 10 STPI units. At present, there are four STPI centres in the state at Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Rourkela and Balasore. Barring the Balasore unit, which is under construction, the other three centres are now operational and contribute the major chunk to the state’s IT export basket. More than 100 IT units of the state are registered with STPI.

Official sources said, a joint feasibility study will be conducted for the establishment of new centres. In the first phase, the feasibility report of three proposed locations at Samablpur, Jajpur and Angul will be sent to the Centre.

STPI was set up with the objective of encouraging, promoting and boosting the software exports from India. It maintains internal engineering resources to provide consulting, training and implementation services.

STPI also plans to set up a facilitation centre at Bhubaneswar with a mandate to give boost to the IT sector in the state. The centre will have software and hardware incubation facility, data centre for the use of IT industries. The Union ministry has sanctioned about Rs 49 crore for the project in the first phase for taking up the civil infrastructure work.


News : http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/centre-grants-six-new-stpi-units-for-odisha-114093001030_1.html
The Business Standard (Bhubaneswar   September 30, 2014 Last Updated at 20:40 IST)




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Govt unlikely to table new foreign trade policy in FY15

 The Narendra Modi government may drop its plan to come out with a new foreign trade policy (FTP), which has been delayed due to sharp differences between the finance and the commerce ministries over tax incentives, during this fiscal.
A senior finance ministry official told Mail Today that the government is "double minded over the issue and may decide to continue with the existing policy for now and introduce the new policy from April 2015 onwards". "In any case, only four months are now left in the current financial," he added.
Commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharman had said in September that the new five-year FTP for 2014-2019 would be "different" from the previous ones and hopefully announced soon. Earlier, the government had planned to introduce a new FTP immediately after the Budget in July. It was later scheduled for the middle of August and subsequently pushed to October-end.
According to sources, discussions are still on between the finance and commerce ministries over tax concessions required to boost exports, especially in the special export zones (SEZs), which have been fading out.
The finance ministry has said that the contraction in exports has not taken place merely because of the minimum alternate tax (MAT) on SEZs or the dividend distribution tax on export units, but also due to the global recession. MAT was imposed on SEZs because they were not reporting revenue correctly. There were also cases of export units selling goods in the domestic market and passing these off as exports to claim incentives, which led to revenue leakage.
Federation of Indian Export Organisations director general Ajay Sahai said, "At present, the old policy is in place until further orders, which has created an uncertain environment as exporters are not sure about exact incentives they would get for new orders that are being placed. Exports need a stable policy regime for the next couple of months; so, either the government should come immediately with a new policy or else leave it for the next financial year."




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