Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
The Indian IT-BPO industry achieved a unique landmark in the year 2012 by crossing the aggregate revenue figure of $100 Billion. India now boasts of about 58% of the global sourcing industry showcasing competitiveness and effectiveness of Indian service providers. West Bengal, however, was a very late beginner in this sector and hence, it contributes only 2.6% of India’s software revenue. But the recent efforts by the West Bengal government show the intent to further improve this position and establish Bengal as an IT destination.
Government takes the lead
West Bengal won the Silver Medal for number and scope of e-Governance initiatives taken by the government in ‘Dataquest-CMR e-Readiness Awards 2013’. Some of the notable steps by the government are Integrated Finance Management System (IFMS), State Statistical Strengthening Programme (SSSP), Employment Bank and Labour Helpline, State Spatial Data Infrastructure (SSDI), National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) etc.
e-District: Various government services like providing caste certificates, trade license, certificate of death, residential certificate, income certificate etc. are now being provided through kiosks in rural areas.
e-Office: Two offices of District Magistrates, Department of Information Technology and Staff Selection Commission, have been made completely paper free and plans of implementing this system in other offices are in progress. Also, system of digitization of official documents has been introduced in the office of District Magistrate of Darjeeling and similar projects are now going on in 12 more districts.
Data warehousing and better communication: The entire official digital database has now been stored in the new State Data Centre which has been ISO certified for information security. The West Bengal State Wide Area Network has been refurbished to implement the various e-Governance initiatives and have faster communication between various government departments and 500 block offices.
Creating a platform for industry
The government has come up with a new policy for information technology with a vision to become one of the leading States in India in the IT and ITeS and ESDM sectors. The government wants to transform the state into a knowledge-driven welfare society with extensive use of IT and ITeS in governance. In this policy, there is a holistic approach to encourage more investment in IT with single window clearances, skill development through new educational institutes and providing land for necessary infrastructure.
Information Technology centers: 13 new IT parks are being constructed in various districts across the state. First phase of construction has already been completed at Durgapur and Siliguri with investors already booking all the available space. A new IT hub and incubation centre is being constructed in Taratala, Kolkata.
Hardware Parks: Two hardware parks and two electronics manufacturing clusters are being constructed in the state, which exhibits the government’s thrust upon hardware, gaming and electronics industry.
Centre of excellence: From this year onwards, Indian Institute of Information Technology Kalyani (IIIT) will commence its operations, to prepare a talent pool of IT professionals. The Microsoft Centre of Excellence will start functioning soon in Salt Lake.
Parting thought
Past 34 months has seen 40% increase in the number of IT professionals working in the state with all the major IT firms looking to increase their base in the state. This period also witnessed a 31% growth in export revenue from IT industry which increased from Rs 8,500 Crores to Rs 11,200 Crores. With noble initiatives such as providing special computers with ‘Braille Monitors’ being provided to blind states and special learning kits to scheduled caste dominated schools, this government could become an example to other states who are currently lagging in IT revolution, on how to use IT for governance and welfare schemes and also grow the sector.
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
The Indian IT-BPO industry achieved a unique landmark in the year 2012 by crossing the aggregate revenue figure of $100 Billion. India now boasts of about 58% of the global sourcing industry showcasing competitiveness and effectiveness of Indian service providers. West Bengal, however, was a very late beginner in this sector and hence, it contributes only 2.6% of India’s software revenue. But the recent efforts by the West Bengal government show the intent to further improve this position and establish Bengal as an IT destination.
Government takes the lead
West Bengal won the Silver Medal for number and scope of e-Governance initiatives taken by the government in ‘Dataquest-CMR e-Readiness Awards 2013’. Some of the notable steps by the government are Integrated Finance Management System (IFMS), State Statistical Strengthening Programme (SSSP), Employment Bank and Labour Helpline, State Spatial Data Infrastructure (SSDI), National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) etc.
e-District: Various government services like providing caste certificates, trade license, certificate of death, residential certificate, income certificate etc. are now being provided through kiosks in rural areas.
e-Office: Two offices of District Magistrates, Department of Information Technology and Staff Selection Commission, have been made completely paper free and plans of implementing this system in other offices are in progress. Also, system of digitization of official documents has been introduced in the office of District Magistrate of Darjeeling and similar projects are now going on in 12 more districts.
Data warehousing and better communication: The entire official digital database has now been stored in the new State Data Centre which has been ISO certified for information security. The West Bengal State Wide Area Network has been refurbished to implement the various e-Governance initiatives and have faster communication between various government departments and 500 block offices.
Creating a platform for industry
The government has come up with a new policy for information technology with a vision to become one of the leading States in India in the IT and ITeS and ESDM sectors. The government wants to transform the state into a knowledge-driven welfare society with extensive use of IT and ITeS in governance. In this policy, there is a holistic approach to encourage more investment in IT with single window clearances, skill development through new educational institutes and providing land for necessary infrastructure.
Information Technology centers: 13 new IT parks are being constructed in various districts across the state. First phase of construction has already been completed at Durgapur and Siliguri with investors already booking all the available space. A new IT hub and incubation centre is being constructed in Taratala, Kolkata.
Hardware Parks: Two hardware parks and two electronics manufacturing clusters are being constructed in the state, which exhibits the government’s thrust upon hardware, gaming and electronics industry.
Centre of excellence: From this year onwards, Indian Institute of Information Technology Kalyani (IIIT) will commence its operations, to prepare a talent pool of IT professionals. The Microsoft Centre of Excellence will start functioning soon in Salt Lake.
Parting thought
Past 34 months has seen 40% increase in the number of IT professionals working in the state with all the major IT firms looking to increase their base in the state. This period also witnessed a 31% growth in export revenue from IT industry which increased from Rs 8,500 Crores to Rs 11,200 Crores. With noble initiatives such as providing special computers with ‘Braille Monitors’ being provided to blind states and special learning kits to scheduled caste dominated schools, this government could become an example to other states who are currently lagging in IT revolution, on how to use IT for governance and welfare schemes and also grow the sector.
