(a) whether the Government has formulated National Policy on Information Technology;
(b) if so, the salient features thereof;
(c) whether the various stakeholders are consulted before finalising the policy;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the action taken in this regard?
MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a) and (b): Yes, Sir. To strengthen and enhance India’s position as the Global Information Technology (IT) hub and to use IT and cyber space as an engine for rapid, inclusive and substantial growth in the national economy, the National Policy on Information Technology (NPIT) was approved by the Cabinet on 14th September, 2012. This policy envisages to increase revenues of IT and ITES Industry from USD 100 billion during 2011-12 to USD 300 billion by 2020 including exports of USD 200 billion. The key strategies identified in NPIT 2012 include creation of an ecosystem for a globally competitive IT/ITES Industry, which inter alia envisages formulation of fiscal and other policies to attract investments in the IT industry in Tier II and Tier III cities. The focus of the policy is on deployment of Information & Communication Technologies (ICT) in all sectors of the economy and providing IT based solutions to address citizen centric issues. It also aims to further boost the contribution of our IT and IT enabled services (IT-ITeS) sector to the national economy. The policy seeks to achieve the twin goals of bringing the full power of ICT within the reach of the entire country and harnessing the capability and human resources of the nation to enable India to emerge as the global hub and destination for the IT and ITeS sector by 2020.
(c) to (e): The draft policy was circulated for comments and suggestions to 50 Ministries/Departments and replies were received from 17 Ministries/Departments. The comments and observations were suitably incorporated.