|
|
Business & Economy
Govt keen on reversing high
PC cost, low net usage
What is India News Service,
Wednesday, 9 February 2005, 1800 hrs IST
The Central Government has decided to cut the vicious circle of high personal computer prices, consequent low PC usage and poor Internet penetration: In his inaugural address at the India Leadership Forum 2005 of the National Association of Software and Service Companies
(Nasscom), in Mumbai, the Union Minister for Communication and Information Technology, Dayanidhi Maran, announced that a working group representing all stake holders, will get to work immediately to address the problem.
"The convergence of information and communication is my personal dream", Mr. Maran said \97 but he was intensely aware that the benefits needed to percolate beyond the metros and tier-one towns to the people of the hinterland. "Our e-governance initiatives will ensure that 2 mega bits per second of broad band connectivity, will be available countrywide up to village block level."
While lauding the IT and IT-enabled services industry for generating $28.2 billion in business this fiscal year, Mr. Maran urged the assembled `head honchos' that many "minds of concealed potential remained to be tapped" \97 a remark that most understood to remind them that the industry's investment in R&D was a pathetic 1 per cent or less. On his part he admitted that "A re-look at the IT Act of 2000 was in order ... to mirror the dynamism of the sector and remove unnecessary constraints," something that has been troubling many Nasscom members ever since the Baazi.com CEO's brief arrest a few weeks ago.
Sops likely for 100 per cent EoUs:
The Government is considering tax sops for the 100 per cent export-oriented units (EOUs{rcub} that might be provided in the forthcoming Union Budget for 2005-06 to bolster fresh investment in the sector that has been witnessing.
IT software, services exports to be $20 bn in '04
fiscal: Wipro Chairman Azim Premji has projected IT software and IT-enabled services exports to touch 19-20 billion dollars this fiscal.
Managerial autonomy for 'strong' PSBs first:
The Government proposes to adopt a fast-track approach to managerial autonomy for "strong" public sector banks (PSBs) initially. Banks lagging in adequate corporate governance practices and where board-level appointments are not yet "fit and proper" may have to wait, according to the Ministry of Finance.
No more queues for start-ups, just log on:
In a couple of years, starting a business and running it would no longer be a drudgery of paper work: the government plans to introduce direct online registration and filing of accounts to avoid long queues and red tape.
BPCL dealers' meet organised:
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd's (BPCL) dealers meet was organised by Bhopal Retail Territory recently here.
IPC opens its centre:
Keeping in view the large number of enquiries that they have been receiving from Bhopal and it's adjoining areas, International Placewell consultants (IPC) decided to open a branch office in Bhopal as well so that they can reach out to the students here and provide their services to all those who are looking for overseas education
Bharti moves Tribunal; Reliance Info denies allegations: It was a day of disputes in the telecom sector. While the Bharti Group on Tuesday dragged the Government to the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) seeking refund of the Rs. 135-crore entry fee paid earlier.
Blame game begins on telephone number leaks:
Telecom firms said on Tuesday they were not leaking customer\92s phone numbers to telemarketing companies, while bank and credit card companies remained silent over notices on unwanted calls that the SC issued on Monday.
Tea prices may rise after VAT:
The tea industry has warned that prices of the cup that cheers will rise in case states opt for the 12.5 per cent category of the value added tax (VAT) for this commodity.
| |
