(a) the countries with whom agreements have been signed to promote information technology in the country;
(b) the countries which have sought assistance of Indian expertise in the field;
(c) the details of progress made so far in the field of Information Technology;
(d) the measures taken by the Government to maintain the world standard of this technology and to make it a source of foreign exchange; and
(e) the time by which the country is likely to become self- reliant in this field?
MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY(SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)
(a) and (b): Memorandum of Understanding /Agreements have been signed between India and Brazil, Mongolia, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mauritius, South Korea, Singapore, Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Italy, China, Belarus, New Zealand, Israel & Columbia for bilateral cooperation in the field of information technology which, inter-alia, provided for assistance of Indian expertise in this field.
(c),(d) and (e): Several steps have been taken by the Government to promote information technology industry and IT exports. The major steps taken include the following:
i) Enactment of Cyber Laws
ii) Fiscal incentives to the IT industry
iii) Adoption of a minimum agenda for e-governance in the Ministries/Departments of the Central Government.
iv) Development of IT applications for socio-economic development of the community and undertaking several projects for the same.
v) Modification of Exim policy to boost exports
The development of IT applications for the masses and the progress of IT enabled services is a continuous process and the Government takes necessary steps, as deemed appropriate from time to time for maintaining world standards of this technology and making it a source of foreign exchange through pursuit of policies aimed at boosting software exports from India.