New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will to review progress of various schemes run by the Department of Electronics and IT (DeitY) on November 5. The Prime Minister will review the progress of schemes such as software technology parks, expansion of the BPO sector to Tier-II and -III cities being implemented under DeitY, and tax issues faced by the IT-ITeS sector especially the small and medium enterprises, an official source said.
Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad met senior officials last week to review the status of various schemes as well as chalk out a future road map, the source added. The minister also asked officials to come back with plans on a revenue viability model and expansion of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) scheme in Eastern India.
"He (Prasad) has also told officials to come out with schemes to popularise BPO centres in Tier II and -III cities in the country as well as to encourage corporate India to increase its involvement in rural areas under Digital India," a government official said. Besides, presenting DeitY's status, Prasad will also present before the Prime Minister various schemes that can help in expansion of Digital India, the official added.
One of the issues that has been flagged by DeitY is that of income tax on the IT-ITeS sector. As the Secton 10 A of Income Tax has been withdrawn from March 31, 2011, the IT-ITeS sector especially the small and medium enterprises have been facing multiple challenges and the department is in the process of formulating schemes to promote the sector.
The official said that DeitY is also actively promoting Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) to encourage promote and boost software Exports from India. So far, STPI have over 4 lakh sq. ft of incubation space across the country and is planning to construct additional 10 lakh sq. ft. of space to promote innovation, research & development and IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) creation.
Besides, the minister has also instructed officials to create a scheme to promote setting up of BPO centres in tier II and III cities so that this can lead to more job creation and development of other areas. "Another issue that has been discussed is to encourage the corporate sector to invest in rural areas under the Digital India programme so that the hinterlands can have broadband connectivity," the official said.
DeitY is the supervising agency for Digital India and will advise the government on policy issues and strategic interventions necessary for accelerating the implementation of Digital India Programme across Central and State government ministries/departments.
