Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 16 (KNN) The Kerala Government unveiled a new information technology (IT) policy which aim to adopt open source and open technologies in public domain and promote the same in SMEs and industry.

The policy aims to create 10 million sq ft of office space for the IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) sectors. The policy targets the generation of 250,000 jobs in the sectors.

Tabling the policy in the state assembly by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the government wants to make Kerala a 100% e-literate society by 2020.

He said the existing IT parks will be expanded and the government is planning “big-time” intervention in promoting private projects related to IT infrastructure creation.

He said the government expects a “quantum leap” for start-ups and the policy points to come up with schemes to incentivise start-ups.

The government says it is willing to offer funding ranging between Rs2 lakh and Rs25 lakh per promising, eligible start-up.

The government has also come up with a sub-policy statement to discuss in detail eight focus areas including e-governance, ease of doing business, free and open source (FOSS) interventions, digital inclusion and cyber security.

The proposed sub-policies will also be updated every year “to ensure refining” of the policy framework “on the basis of the fast changing scenario in technology and its applications.”

Under the policy, promotion of e-payment gateways and an e-Market Place System (to facilitate online procurement by various government units) is also proposed.

The government spelt out plans to establish fiber optic connectivity to both the rural hinterland and the cities, through which it will provide free internet for below-poverty-line families.

The policy also suggested forming an advisory body with a team of experts from the public or private sectors in order to improve the state’s IT industry.

“Digital technology is imperative not only for the development of modern industries but for the general well being of the State also,” chief minister Vijayan said in a message ahead of the release of the policy draft.

 Giving a boost to domestic marketplace, the State envisages creation of a vibrant internal market for the IT players and an early adoption market for the startups by virtue of opening up its procurement needs to companies in the state (registered in Kerala or having a billing within the state).

Promoting locally manufactured/ assembled products, the Policy document said, “The companies who provide services to government shall be encouraged to establish their manufacturing /assembly units in the state,, leveraging the schemes under the MSIPS and EMC by Government of India. Social security of the employees shall be ensured by Government through innovative means.”

Vijayan said an annual /bi annual IT expo will be conducted in the state exhibiting its strength and growth potential in IT and also as a measure to bring the futuristic developments across the world to the state.

Also, IT parks shall host international seminars on Technology /Business thereby exhibit the Kerala's developments in the Technology front to the Global Market. (KNN Bureau)