Being the second highest
literacy rate in the country, it
is believed that Mizoram can also become the most IT literate state in the
country. Keeping these objectives in mind, the Government of Mizoram has
recently notified ‘IT Policy of Mizoram 2001’. This IT Policy covered
the vital sectors of Industry, Education, Government, Health, Tourism,
Agriculture and IT for Masses to implement over a period of 5 to 10 years.
Apart from these, the Policy has also provides a number of incentives and
opportunities for entrepreneurs in the state of Mizoram.
To monitor the progress of the
implementation of IT policy, the Government has also constituted ‘Mizoram
IT Task Force’ under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary and the Secretary
(IT) as Member Secretary.
ADVANTAGES
OF MIZORAM
Ø
State government
initiatives and willingness to provide all necessary supports for the
development of IT in Mizoram.
Ø
Literacy rate of Mizoram
is the second highest in the country which coupled with the climate are major
encouragers for IT sector development.
Ø
Large available pool of
not literate, but English speaking people, with increasing interest in pursuing
computer related field.
Ø
Pollution free, Ideal
climatic condition.
Ø
Innovative people and
creative mind.
Ø
Adaptability and
flexibility of the local youth.
INITIATIVES TAKEN UP FOR THE
DEVELOPMENT OF IT
Project
Undertaken:
Ø
Training Programme for
-
DOEACC ‘O’ and ‘A’ at Lunglei and Aizawl
-
DOEACC ‘CCC’ Level Course
-
Repairs & Maintenance of Electronics
at Lunglei
-
PC Hardware Maintenance Course at Aizawl
-
Consumer Electronics Training Centre for rural educated unemployed
youths for their sustainable self-employment
Ø
Common Facilities Centre for Electronics & IT Entrepreneurs
Ø
Application of
Computerized Braille Computer System at Mizoram Blind Schools – Integrated
School, Kolasib and Samaritan Blind
School, Durtlang.
Ø
Multimedia Content
Creation Centre for sustainable self-employment Generation.
Ø
Establishment of Centre
for Electronics Design & Technology Centre of India CEDTI) with the Ministry
of IT, Government of India
Ø
School Children Computer
Education Centre at every District under 11th Finance Commission.
On-Going
Project:
Ø
Setting up of Community Information Centres (CICs) Project in 22 RD Blocks
& 5 District Headquarters.
Ø
IT Entrepreneurs
Development Programme for Educated Unemployed Youths of Mizoram
Ø
Mizoram Education
Networks for providing Internet connectivity to all educational Institution.
Ø
IT based Education and
Communication for People affected with Cerebral Palsy
Ø
IT Training Centre at
Secretariat Complex for IT Literacy Programme for Government employees.
Ø
Government of Mizoram
Internet Backbone Connectivity for providing Internet connectivity to every
government offices.
Ø
Mizoram Secretariat
Networks with the state-of-the-art Technology ATM Switch and fibre optics
backbone
PROJECTS
TO BE TAKEN UP IN DUE
COURSE
Ø
Telemedicine Programme at every District for remote diagnosis
Ø
State Wide Area Networks for on-line communication with various
Department and Citizen Interfaces
Ø
Software Technology Park
(STP).
Ø
GAD Networks for
Internetworking of all the Mizoram Houses located at Delhi, Kolkata, Gwahati,
Shillong, and Silchar. This network will also be used for Inner-line permit.
Ø
North-Eastern Institute
of Information Technology (NEIIT)
Ø
IT Literacy Programme for
all government employees.
Ø
Chief Minister On-line
POTENTIAL
PROJECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF IT IN MIZORAM :
I.
HI-TECH
COMPLEX
The Government of Mizoram is endeavour to set-up Hi-Tech infrastructure exclusively to house units for Software Development and IT enabling services. Hi-Tech Complex should be architecturally designed and equipped with the latest state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities to meet the needs of the Hi-Tech companies in Electronics, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Finance and related Industries. The main objective is to offer a one-stop shopping solution to Hi-Tech companies for their business activities and social needs such as Recreational Facilities, Banks, Post Office, Cafeteria, etc. Hi-Tech Complex will also have sufficient area for North-Eastern Institute of Information Technology (NEIIT), Software Technology Park (STP), IT Enabled Services, and other Entrepreneurs/Private/Multinational Companies.
II.
NORTH
EASTERN INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (NEIIT)
The Government of Mizoram endeavor to create and develop a centre for excellence in IT Education known as ‘North Eastern Institute of Information Technology (NEIIT)’. The NEIIT is to be deemed University and could be established in a joint hand with Central Government and reputed Private/Multinational Companies. NEIIT should offer undergraduate and post graduate programmes in IT. Once it’s teaching programmes stabilise, NEIIT should also institute research programmes leading to Ph.D. The Institute should work closely with industry leaders through their Corporate Schools and to help them in undertaking training programmes needed in the industrial and financial sectors.
The objective of this institute should be as follows:
- To be a global centre of excellence in IT education, training and research.
- To build up synergies between IT education and IT Industry.
- To undertake and assist research and development in the core techniques of IT and applications for improvement of productivity and efficiency in Government and Industry.
- To facilitate development of I.T. applications for social sectors like health, agriculture, education and rural development for improving the quality of life of the common man.
- To undertake design and consultancy services and create industry-required short-term courses for effective linkage with industry and users.
- To build linkages with leading Universities of the world in the field of IT and management.
III.
SOFTWARE
TECHNOLOGY PARK
The Government of Mizoram is endeavour to establish ‘Software Technology Park’ in the premises of Hi-Tech Complex with the objective of promoting export of Computer Software from Mizoram. This STP may be establish with a joint effort of the Government of Mizoram and Department of IT, Government of India, New Delhi.
The main objectives of this STP are as follows :
- To establish and manage the infrastructural resources such as Data Communication facilities, built-up space, common amenities etc.
- To provide services to the users who undertake Software Development for export and IT Enabled Services purposes.
- To promote development and export of Software and Software Services through Technology assessments, market analysis, marketing segmentation, marketing support etc.
-
To train professionals and to encourage design and development in
the field of Software Technology and Software Engineering.
IV.
IT
ENABLED SERVICES
Keeping in view of the constraint of the geographical location of Mizoram and lack of transportation, it is believed that knowledge based industries, rather than capital based industries, is an area where Mizoram can play a major role for the development of Mizoram. Among the knowledge based industries, IT enabled services is the most suitable area for Mizoram. Therefore, IT enabled services will be one of the main trust area for socio-economic development of Mizoram State. Therefore, the Government of Mizoram endeavour to established Call Centre, Medical Transcription, Website Services, and Back-office operations..
SPECIAL
INCENTIVES OFFERED FOR IT ENABLED SERVICES
Ø
Eligibility
- The units should provide employment for minimum 50 persons.
- Employment should be provided for a minimum period of 3 years.
- The unit shall provide a minimum wage of at least Rs. 5000 per month per employee.
Ø Power subsidy shall be available for a period of 5 years, from the date of going into commercial production. The amount of subsidy shall be 60%, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10.00 lakhs per year.
Ø The subsidy on captive generating set including non-conventional energy generation set shall be 60% of the cost of the generating set, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 15.00 lakhs per industrial unit.
Ø State Capital Investment subsidy of 40% on the capital investment on land, building, plant & machinery etc., subject to a ceiling of Rs. 15.00 lakhs shall be provided to an IT unit under the policy.
Ø 60% subsidy on shed rent payable to STPI shall be available for a period of three years from the date of going into commercial operation, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 5 lakhs per annum.
Ø 40% subsidy on Hot line / Lease line connectivity paid to STPI or BSNL or VSNL subject to a ceiling of Rs. 10.00 lakhs per annum shall be available to the units for a period of three years from the date of commercial operation.