Gujarat declares new IT policy for five years

Ahmedabad, Nov 3 (UNI) Gujarat government has chalked out a long- term ambitious Information Technology Policy-2007 with an aim to garner investments worth about Rs 5,000 crore in the next five years.

The objective of the policy is to promote and develop job opportunities in the IT sector with generating direct employment for over 2,00,000 people, compared to present job quota of just 15,000 personnel, official sources said here today.

The new IT policy also targets the rapid expansion and growth of knowledge-based economy and offers several tax exemptions and easing of labour laws for companies engaged in IT and IT-enabled services (ITES) and focuses upon strategy to develop them.

The Science and Technology Department of Gujarat government has been asked to promote IT parks and special economic zones (SEZs) for enhancing availability of ready built up infrastructure and other facilities for IT and ITES.

These facilities will be assisted by 50 per cent cost in fixed properties like land, buildings and infrastructure facilities, with maximum cost of Rs 2.5 crore.

Besides these, these units will be given 50 per cent exemption in stamp duty.

Above, they will also be given exemption in electricity duty for a period of five years from the commencement of commercial operations, the sources added.

UNI MP KU KR ND1656