Maharashtra to give IT sector a boost with new policy

PUNE: The Maharashtra government has taken to heart the criticism that it is not an attractive destination for information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITES) businesses. A dynamic new policy to comprehensively address issues facing the IT, ITES and telecom sectors is currently awaiting Cabinet approval.
“The state’s earlier IT policy was concerned mainly with software. The new policy places IT, ITES and telecom on par. So, whatever is applicable to software will be applicable to IT, ITES and telecom. It incorporates several features, which are part of the industry’s wishlist,� Vishwas Dhumal, secretary, Industries, government of Maharashtra, said.
He explained that the policy was the result of the perception that the state did not have a designated IT secretary to promote IT. Hence, the state government asked Nasscom to identify problems faced by the IT, ITES and telecom sectors and recommend steps for their rapid growth. The report has identified the potential of Mumbai-Thane, Navi Mumbai and Pune.
The policy will address issues covering the cost of operating in urban areas and the active role civic bodies can play to attract projects. It will also address issues regarding the infrastructure and taxation for IT and IT-related products. Mr Dhumal told reporters that since it is a dynamic policy, the Joint Commissioner (Income-Tax) will add IT-related products to the list as they emerge.
“Telecom is the backbone for the sector, providing connectivity and under this policy, has been placed on par with software businesses,� he said.