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IT
POLICY GOVT. OF ASSAM
1.
Introduction
Information Technology (IT) occupies a key position in our
modern age and is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world economy. Applications of
IT have become pervasive, covering all spheres of life. Government of Assam has recognized
this fact and has formulated the policy below keeping in mind all facets of IT.
2.
Objectives of the policy
The basic objectives of the Information Technology
policy of Assam shall be:
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To accord primacy for the growth of I.T. industry for the
purpose of socio-economic development of the State
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To accelerate the use of Information Technology industry at
the governmental level with the view to provide better services to the citizens of the
state;
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To improve productivity and efficiency of the Government
services to the citizens of the state.
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To serve as an important tool to enhance employability as well
absorb a major portion of the educated employed in the state.
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To enable the state reach an eminent position in the
Information Technology sector.
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To encourage and accelerate the growth of both the domestic
and the export oriented I.T units in the state and make the state an attractive
destination for I.T investment within India and abroad.
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To encourage and accelerate the use of Information Technology
in schools, colleges and educational institutions in the state to enable the youth to
acquire necessary skills and knowledge in this sector making them highly employable.
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To set up training institutes in the private sector and the
joint sector in order to prepare skilled manpower within the existing system.
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To organize Manpower Development Training in the field of
Computer Applications for the successful implementation of the Information Technology
Policy of Assam.
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To develop appropriate networks between various departments
and different spatially spread out administrative hierarchies through well designed
database management systems.
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To encourage the spread of IT in the private sector.
3.
Salient Features of The Policy:
The salient features for the Information Technology
Policy of Assam shall be:
3.1 Information Technology Policy for the Government
Administration:
3.1.1 The Industry & Commerce Department would function as nodal department, for
implementation of the IT Policy, which would co-ordinate with all the other departments of
the government of Assam in order to ensure that the detailed objectives and goals of the
IT Policy are achieved.
3.1.2 The Government shall endeavour to have connectivity among all its offices within
2004 so that communication can flow through e-mail/ video conferencing etc., to enhance
productivity. The Government shall endeavour to provide video conferencing & e-mail
facilities in all district head quarters to enable communication with the State
Secretariat.
3.1.3 The Government shall endeavour to improve the process of governance so that citizens
could file their documents required by the Government electronically. Web applications
would be developed in the local language of the state.
3.1.4 The Government shall endeavour to put in place training programme to enable all
government employees to use Information Technology to enhance productivity
3.1.5 The Government shall make a special budget allocation of at least 2-3 % of the plan
fund allocated to the Government departments every year to complete its computerisation
programmes in each Department. An I.T sub-plan would be formulated department-wise and
closely monitored.
3.1.6 The Government shall improve infrastructure such as laying of communication cables
for interconnecting the departments, setting up of data transfer exchanges, routers etc.,
and ensure reliable power supply, transport system etc., to improve the quality of work.
3.1.7 The Government shall encourage the use of Information Technology in all educational
institutions by way of giving special grants every year to enable them to put up the
necessary infrastructure. Connectivity between the various educational institutions would
also be established by 2004.
3.1.8 The Government shall with the help of the industry start training programmes for
teachers to help them use information technology in the teaching process.
3.1.9 The Government shall endeavour to teach the school level children the use of
computers and to impart training through computers. All college students in the state of
Assam would be encouraged to undertake three months course in the use of Information
Technology and in working on computers by 2004.
3.2.0 The Government shall endeavour to increase the number of college students
specialising in Information Technology to meet the needs of the Information Technology
industry to cater to both the export and the domestic market. The syllabi for
specialisation in computer education would be standardised and recognised to make it more
relevant. The education department would monitor the placements on offer and make suitable
changes in the design of courses according to the needs of the jobs.
3.2.1 The Government shall strengthen the Assam Electronic Development Corporation Ltd
(AEDC Ltd). AEDC will play the role of facilitator and assist various govt. departments in
selection of appropriate Hardware, Software and training programmes in accordance with
their needs.
3.2.2 For specialised training in emerging areas of Computer and Communication
Technology, the Government shall consider sponsoring employees of various Government
departments, undertakings, autonomous organisations and other non-governmental
organisations to institutions situated within or outside the state. All efforts would be
made to set up an autonomous IIIT at Guwahati with assistance from Private sector and
Union Government.
3.3 Information Technology Policy for the Industry:
3.3.1 Government shall set-up a Software Technology Park (STP) at Guwahati in the first
phase with comprehensive infrastructural facilities which would include adequate power,
water and telecommunication facilities. Adequate residential areas shall also be developed
in and around the STP to enable easy accessibility to the professionals working in the STP
units.
3.3.2 Government shall encourage the private sector to establish STPs in the State of
Assam.
3.3.3 Government shall permit establishment of the IT industries in residential areas.
3.3.4 The Government shall endeavour to set up an electronic sub-urban town in an
appropriate location having fully developed integrated infrastructural facilities. This
Electronic City shall be solely for the use of the Information Technology Industry and
allied services. The state government will encourage private sector participation in
development of such infrastructure.
3.3.5 The Government shall co-ordinate and liaison with the Software Technology Park of
India (STPI), the nodal agency for development for the software industry and organisations
such as Videsh Sanchar Nigam (VSNL), Department of Electronics, Department of
Telecommunication, National Informatic Centre, and other such
organisations of Government of India to expand communication links in the state of Assam.
These agencies shall be encouraged to set up gateways and earth stations and Government
shall try to provide land / building / space and other facilities whenever needed on
priority basis.
3.3.6 In order to ensure that the Information Technology industries in the state are in a
position to meet international quality certification like ISO 9000 etc., and Software
Engineering Institute (SEI) certification which are insisted upon by International
companies, efforts would be made to establish such an organisation or its branch at
Guwahati, which shall be authorised to issue such certifications as may be necessary.
3.3.7 For development of 100% Export Oriented Units (EOU) in Assam, Government of India
would be requested to designate an Officer at Guwahati to grant necessary clearances /and
approvals under 100% Export Oriented Scheme.
3.3.8 Information Technology industries in the State would be assisted with the
development of telecommunication network in the state for which Government and its
agencies would constantly liase and co-ordinate with Department of Telecommunication and
draw up time bound action plans for up-gradation and strengthening of telecommunication
net works. As a short-term measure, development agencies of the Government of Assam viz.
Assam Industrial Development Corporation Ltd, Assam Small Industries Development
Corporation Ltd, Assam Electronic Development Corporation Ltd & Assam Industrial
Infrastructural Development Corporation Ltd shall make block bookings for
telecommunication connections in potential areas and locations. This would ensure that
entrepreneurs who come forward to set-up Information Technology Industry can be sanctioned
telecommunication facilities immediately on application.
3.3.9 Government shall endeavour to arrange financial assistance to the Information
Technology industries to be established and set-up in the state. Government will initiate
dialogue with the Banks and Financial Institutions to evolve a suitable procedure for
obtaining finance for the units on a priority basis. The state Govt. would create a
corpus of funds as venture capital fund with AIDC to provide assistance to the IT sector.
4.
Definitions and Eligibility:
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Information Technology includes Information Technology and
telecommunications.
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Information Technology industry includes IT hardware and software
industries; IT software industry includes IT software, IT services and IT enabled
services, but excludes training institutions in this field.
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Information Technology infrastructure means the physical
infrastructure built by the Central Government, State Government, a firm, a builder and
sold to an IT industry for its own use or the infrastructure built by an IT industry for
its own use.
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New unit means an IT unit which has commenced commercial production
on or after the date on which the policy has been notified.
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Existing unit means an IT unit, which is or was in commercial
operation at any time prior to the date on which the policy has been notified.
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100% Export Oriented Unit means an IT unit, which undertakes to
export its entire value added goods subject to relaxation as permitted by the Government
of India from time to time.
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Fixed Capital means and includes cost of land & its development,
building including operational space, godown, laboratory, plant & Machinery & its
installation cost, pre-operative expenses capitalised, Electrical and such other equipment
which are directly related to operational activity.
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EXPANSION of an IT unit means additional fixed capital investment
exceeding at least 25% of the capital investment of the existing unit. For the purpose of
calculation, gross value of all the capital investment made on land, building and plant
and machinery of the existing unit will be taken into consideration. Expansion shall also
imply an increase of at least 25% in the existing installed capacity as well as increase
an in additional employment by least 10%.
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MODERNISATION means separately identifiable investment made by an
industrial unit involving new/improved technology having definite advantages in reduction
of cost of production provided the additional investment in fixed assets should not be
less than 25% of the gross fixed capital.
4.1
Eligibility:
All industries defined as IT industries shall be eligible for the incentives enumerated.
The units undergoing expansion / modernisation shall be eligible for incentives for the
increased capacity created after expansion / modernisation of the existing unit.
4.2 INCENTIVES FOR PROMOTION OF INVESTMENT IN IT SECTOR :
Incentives shall be available to the new units as well as to the existing units
undergoing expansion / modernisation. The package of incentives shall be as
follows:
4.2.1 Sales Tax Exemptions
All new units and existing units undergoing substantial expansion / up-gradation /
diversification shall be granted sales tax exemption on sale of finished products, value
added products and purchase of capital goods and raw materials for the following period.
However, sales tax exemption for purchase of capital goods will be given only if such
goods are purchased locally:
1. New units - 10 years
2. Existing units - 10 years
(undergoing expansion/ up-gradation / diversification)
(A separate notification will be issued by the Finance (Taxation) Department in
this regard)
However, the sales tax exemption will be reviewed by the Industries and Commerce
Department after 5 years to decide their continuation or otherwise.
4.2.2 Power Subsidy:
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 50% subject to a ceiling of Rs.5.00
lakh per year
4.2.3 Subsidy on Generating set:
The subsidy on captive generating set including non-conventional energy generation set
shall be 50% of the cost of the generating set subject to a ceiling of Rs.10.00 lakh per
industrial unit.
4.2.4 State Capital Investment Subsidy:
State Capital Investment Subsidy of 30% on the capital investment on land, building, plant
& machinery etc., subject to a ceiling of Rs.10.00 lakh shall be provided to an IT
unit under the policy. For 100% EOU and for units run by women S.C. And S.T. Entrepreneurs
the ceiling of subsidy shall be Rs.15.00 lakh.
4.2.5 Subsidy on Infrastructure:
50% 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.2 lakh per
annum.
4.2.7 Subsidy on Hot line / Lease line connectivity:
30% subsidy on Hot line / Lease line connectivity paid to STPI or VSNL subject to a
ceiling of Rs.5.00 lakh per annum shall be available to the units for a period of three
years from the date of commercial operation.
4.2.8 Manpower Development subsidy:
Subsidy on Manpower development shall be provided in respect of training / technical
upgradation / Skill upgradation of local persons in a recognised training organisation /
institution subject to the following ceiling:
Investment in fixed capital Total ceiling
Up to Rs.20.00 lakh Rs.1.50 lakh
Rs.20.00 lakh to Rs.25.00 lakh Rs.2.00 lakh
Rs.25.00 lakh to Rs.50.00 lakh Rs.3.00 lakh
Rs.50.00 lakh to Rs.100.00 lakh Rs.5.00 lakh
Above Rs.100.00 lakh and above crore Rs10.00 lakh
The above amount shall be available for a period of five years from the date of commercial
operation of the unit only.
4.2.9 Subsidy on Quality Certification:
50% of the cost for getting ISO: 9000, Software Engineering Institute (SEI) certification
and Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) certification shall be subsidised subject to a
ceiling of Rs.2.00 lakh.
4.3 For mega projects the government would consider special incentives on a case by case
basis in addition to the benefits already provided. A mega project may be defined as one
having an investment of Rs.100 crore and more.
5. Special incentives for
IT Enabled Industries
In addition to the
benefits provided to IT Industries the following benefits shall be provided for IT enabled
services.
5.1 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
lakh per year.
5.2 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 lakh per
industrial unit.
5.3 State Capital Investment Subsidy of 40% on the capital investment on land, building,
plant & machinery etc., subject to a ceiling of Rs.15.00 lakh shall be provided to an
IT unit under the policy
5.4 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 lakh
per annum.
5.5 40% subsidy on Hot line / Lease line connectivity paid to STPI or VSNL subject to a
ceiling of Rs.10.00 lakh per annum shall be available to the units for a period of three
years from the date of commercial operation.
The eligibility criteria specifically for the IT enabled sector are as follows.
a. The unit should provide employment for minimum 100 local persons.
b. Employment should be provided for a minimum period of three years.
c.
A minimum wage of atleast Rs.4500 per month per employee shall be provided
by the unit.
6. The Government would
take all necessary steps to exempt the IT Industry from the relevant provisions of the following regulations -
a.
Factories Act, 1948
b.
Employment Exchange (compulsory notification of vacancies) Act, 1959
c.
Payment of Wages Act, 1936
d.
Minimum Wages Act, 1948
e.
Contract Labour (Regulation & abolition) Act, 1970
f.
Workmen Compensation Act, 1923
g.
Shops and Establishment Act, 1971
h.
Employees State Insurance Act, 1948
i.
Zoning Regulations under the Gauhati Metropolitan Authority Act,
1985
(Notification for zoning vide No.TCP.79/83/56, dtd.25.9.1986 published in Gazette on
24.12.1986).
7. Implementing Agency
The Industries and
Commerce Dept. would be the nodal agency for implementation of Information Technology
Policy of Assam on behalf of the State Government. The Policy shall come into effect from
the date of notification of this policy till such time, the Government may consider it fit
and proper .The Government also reserves the right to make any amendments in the policy.
8. Eligibility
Certificate:
8.1 Eligibility
Certificate is a certificate, which shall be issued by the Udyog Sahayak Cell to be
constituted at the Assam Electronic Development Corporation Ltd. For the purpose of
implementation of this policy.
8.2 No right or claim
for any incentives under the policy shall be deemed to have been conferred by the policy
merely by virtue of the fact that the unit on its part has fulfilled the conditions of the
scheme.
8.3 The incentives under the scheme cannot be claimed unless the FINAL Eligibility
Certificate has been issued under the policy by the implementing agency and the unit has
complied with stipulations / conditions of the Eligibility Certificate.
8.4 The decision of the implementing agency, subject to such direction as Government may
issue from time to time in this regard shall be final and binding.
9. Procedures for
application:
Separate guidelines for issuance of Eligibility
Certificate & submission of claims for incentives would be issued.
10. Priority for
disbursement:
The disbursement of the
incentives by the implementing agency shall be in accordance with the chronological order
of approved claims. Priority shall however be given to 100% Export Oriented Units.
11. Interpretation:
The decision of the
Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Assam, as regards to interpretation of
this policy resolution / incentive scheme shall be final. The State Government reserves
the right to increase or decrease the incentives or frame new guidelines, amend any
provision(s) including withdrawal of any of the incentives/ subsidies provided in this
policy.
12.
Implementation and Monitoring of the Policy:
12.1 Information
Technology Cell (ITC):
In order to provide various information and facilities to the IT industry and to ensure
proper delivery of all services a separate Cell known as Information Technology Cell (ITC)
shall be created at the Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (a Government of
Assam undertaking). The primary objective of the ITC shall be to provide adequate
information to the entrepreneurs, identification of projects and its implementation and
also to keep in touch with similar organisation/ institutions on the line of IT within and
out side the state.
12.2 Functions of ITC:
All administrative Departments shall refer all issues related to implementation of
the Information Technology Policy to the ITC and keep the ITC apprised of all actions
taken in this regard. ITC will perform the following functions:
i. Ensure adequate publicity of the Information Technology Policy of Assam, 2000 as well as
render all assistance to the entrepreneurs to avail the benefit of the incentives.
ii Identification of prospective entrepreneurs, building up a data bank to guide and
motivate the entrepreneurs and also to prepare viable project profiles in different
categories of investment .
iii Enlistment of applications and issuance of eligibility certificate under the policy .
iv Co-ordinating with the connected agencies / administrative departments for
implementation of the IT Policy.
v Proper and effective implementation of all incentives and issuance of sanctions thereof.
vi To refer all relevant issues to the Government or to the Committees framed thereunder
for any matter connected with implementation of the policy.
vii To take up any other matter entrusted by the Government from time to time.
12.3 Procedures for issuing eligibility certificate:
The application for issuance of eligibility certificate shall be submitted to the Assam
Electronic Development Corporation Ltd., directly for issuance of Eligibility Certificate.
The Government shall issue a separate notification on constitution of a committee
entrusted with the powers of approval on the proposals.
12.4 Information Technology Task Force
An Information Technology Task Force of the State (ITTFS) shall be constituted
under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister to review the implementation of the Policy as
per references given below :
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The Chief Minister of Assam
Chairman
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The Minister of Industries & Commerce ,Assam
Vice-Chairman
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The Chief Secretary of Assam
Member
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The Commissioner & Secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam , Industries & Commerce Department
Member
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The Commissioner & Secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam , Education Department
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The Commissioner & Secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam , Finance Department
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The Commissioner & Secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam , Science & Technology Department
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The Commissioner & Secretary / Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam, Planning & Development Department.
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Four representatives from the IT industry to be
nominated by the Government
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The Director IIT Guwahati
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The Chief General Manager , DOT , Assam Circle
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The Director , STP , Guwahati
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The Director of Industries & Commerce , Assam
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The Managing Director , AIDC Ltd
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The General Manger , SIDBI
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The Chairman NEDFI
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The Managing Director , AEDC Ltd
Chairman
\ Vice-Chairman may co-opt at least five expert (s) as
members of
the committee.
Member Secretary
Function of the Committee:
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To review the implementation of Information Technology
Policy of Assam , 2000 and to make suggestions for improvement in this regard to the
concerned departments from time to time .
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To advise the State Government for constitution of any
sub-committees or any study team for effective implementation of the policy for the State.
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To examine the problems faced during the implementation
of the policy and suggest remedial measures to solve such problems.
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To discuss inter developmental co-ordination problems
to suggest remedial measures.
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To review and monitor development of infrastructure for
IT Industry.
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The Committee shall meet as and when necessary but not
less than thrice in a year with the approval of the Chairman .
12.5 Inter-Departmental Information Technology Committee:
To co-ordinate inter departmental activities to propagate development of
Information Technology in the State and to monitor the development in the sectors like
education, Industry etc. an Inter Departmental Information
Technology Committee (IDITC) shall be constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief
Secretary as below:
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The Chief Secretary, Govt. of
Assam, Chairman
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The Commissioner & Secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam, Industries & Commerce Department ,Member, Secretary
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The Commissioner & secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam, Finance Department. Member
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The Commissioner & Secretary / Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam, Planning & Development Department. Member
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The Commissioner & Secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam, Education Department
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The Commissioner & Secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam, Revenue Department
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The Commissioner & Secretary/ Secretary to the
Govt. of Assam, Science & Technology Department
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The Managing Director , AIDC Ltd
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The Managing Director , AEDC Ltd
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The Director of Industries & Commerce
Chairman may co-opt at least two
expert(s) as members for the
committee.
Function of the Committee will be as follows:
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To review the implementation of Information Technology
Policy of Assam, 2000 and to make suggestions to the Information Technology Task Force
from time to time.
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To monitor the implementation of the various objectives
of the policy and to suggest growth of IT industries in the State.
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To examine the problems faced during the implementation
of the policy and suggest remedial measures.
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To look into the matters of different Government
departments in relation to IT.
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The Committee shall meet once in quarter in a year with
the approval of the Chairman.
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