Question : IT TASK FORCE

(a) whether the Government have recently reviewed its policies concerning software and hardware sectors with a view to synchronise them with the global trend in the light of recommendations made by IT Task Force` 1997;

(b) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon so far;

(c) the details of proposals under consideration for policy change and their present status vis-a-vis other countries;

(d) whether the Union Government have reviewed the policies and progress made by the State Governments in IT sector over the recent years;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to involve and encourage State Governments for promotion and development in IT sector to achieve a commanding position at global level?

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS(SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)

(a),(b) and (c): A high powered National Task Force on Information Technology and Software Development was set up by the Prime Minister`s Office on May 22, 1998, with the aim of making India a Global IT Superpower within ten years. This Task Force has made 108 recommendations. The review of policies concerning software and hardware is a continuous process to keep them synchronous with the global trends . A number of proposals related to tariff structure have been taken up by the Ministry of Information Technology with the Ministry of Finance so as to make the Indian IT industry globally competitive.

(d),(e) and (f): A number of State Governments have announced their respective liberalized IT policies. The State Governments review IT policies independently so as to ensure growth of the IT sector in their respective states.