Goa will harness IT to its advantage, says CM Rane

Panaji, Feb 23 (UNI) Goa Chief Minister Pratapsinh Rane today stressed the need to utilise the Information Technology revolution in realising the vision of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in building a knowledge-based economy and boosting employment potential.

Addressing a gathering here before UPA Chairperson laid foundation stone for Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Dona Paula here today, he said Goa would contribute Rs 5000 crore through the IT sector by 2009.

The US was expected to outsource 5 million jobs in India in three years even as the BPO industry had employed 2 million people in the country, he added.

With the BPO poised to become Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) by including pharmaceutical and other industries, India could play a major role to tap the potential, Mr Rane said.

He also unfolded the government's plan to empower the people of Goa through the 'Knowledge is Power' scheme.

State IT Minister Dayanand Narvekar said the IT habitat was expected to create employment potential for 10,000 graduates and undergraduates by May 2008 when the project would be completed.

The government was offering incentives for early completition of the project.

Governor S C Jamir said the government's IT policy was to harness human resources to create a knowledge-based economy. Goa has ideal climate of peace, communal harmony and manpower to facilitate such an economy.

State Chief Secretary J P Singh informed that a project to connect all village with broadband newtork was underway.

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