CHENNAI: Union minister of state for communication and IT Sachin Pilot said on Monday that the new IT policy was almost ready and would contain provisions to involve more domestic manufacturing companies in the electronics growth story.
"The draft notes have been finalised," said Pilot. "The value addition needs to go beyond putting some screws and bubble wrapping the product here in India. Some percentage of sourcing must be done locally."
The electronics market in India is worth $45 billion and is expected to grow to $400 billion in less than 10 years. "So, the ministry is really focused on electronics manufacturing getting a boost. We want to make sure that domestic firms gain from this growth, which will be mainly driven by domestic demand," said Pilot.
Pilot, who had earlier said crossholding among telcos may be scrapped, said this would be considered in the new IT policy. "If I have taken it up, it will be addressed," he said.
He said that IT exports are likely to reach $300 billion by 2020 but the focus should be on how to take IT to the masses. "There is no reason why we should restrict ourselves only to export dollars. Businesses should create more local content," said Pilot. "We are looking to get 22 Indian languages the same status. So far, only six languages are allowed for internet domain name registration."
On banking licence for post offices, he said the ministry has written to the RBI and the matter was under consideration. There are more than 23 crore savings bank accounts in the post offices. He also said there are no plans to change post office life insurance services as they were doing well. In Tamil Nadu, he said the revenue of the postal department increased by around 18% to Rs 882 crore and there are plans to interlink all the post offices in the state.
Pilot said that things are still difficult at BSNL on the financial front, although some circles have shown signs of return to profitability. "Traditional landline business is not giving us any money," said Pilot. "We are looking at more joint ventures although I can't give out more details now. We will also take steps to make management more efficient."
"The draft notes have been finalised," said Pilot. "The value addition needs to go beyond putting some screws and bubble wrapping the product here in India. Some percentage of sourcing must be done locally."
The electronics market in India is worth $45 billion and is expected to grow to $400 billion in less than 10 years. "So, the ministry is really focused on electronics manufacturing getting a boost. We want to make sure that domestic firms gain from this growth, which will be mainly driven by domestic demand," said Pilot.
Pilot, who had earlier said crossholding among telcos may be scrapped, said this would be considered in the new IT policy. "If I have taken it up, it will be addressed," he said.
He said that IT exports are likely to reach $300 billion by 2020 but the focus should be on how to take IT to the masses. "There is no reason why we should restrict ourselves only to export dollars. Businesses should create more local content," said Pilot. "We are looking to get 22 Indian languages the same status. So far, only six languages are allowed for internet domain name registration."
On banking licence for post offices, he said the ministry has written to the RBI and the matter was under consideration. There are more than 23 crore savings bank accounts in the post offices. He also said there are no plans to change post office life insurance services as they were doing well. In Tamil Nadu, he said the revenue of the postal department increased by around 18% to Rs 882 crore and there are plans to interlink all the post offices in the state.
Pilot said that things are still difficult at BSNL on the financial front, although some circles have shown signs of return to profitability. "Traditional landline business is not giving us any money," said Pilot. "We are looking at more joint ventures although I can't give out more details now. We will also take steps to make management more efficient."
Source : The Times of India, July 10, 2012
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