Kerala approves new IT, Industrial policies

Thiruvanthapuram, June 13 (UNI) The Kerala government today approved new Information Technology (IT) policy, aimed at upgrading the productivity, skill and knowledge levels of the citizen, and Industrial Policy, focusing on revival of sick Public Sector Units (PSUs) in the state.

''The new IT policy is aimed at creating more employment opportunities through more investments in IT and IT-Enabled Services,'' Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told reporters after a Cabinet meeting.

Stating that a separate Technology Development Fund for Research and Development in the IT sector, would be formed, he said the policy aimed at giving concessions to small and medium scale IT investments.

The new IT policy focuses on making Kerala a hub of Free Software Center in the country, networking all the educational institutions and other institutions in the state.

It also aimed at developing IT parks throughout the state and not merely concentrating in major cities.

On the Industrial Policy, Mr Achuthanandan said the main focus would be revival of sick PSUs and convert them into profit making units.

He said the government's policy was for industrialisation without imparting damage to the environment.

The Cabinet also decided to provide Rs one crore each to Kottayam and Pathanamthita districts for vector control activities and sanitary measures, while other affected districts with Rs 50 lakh each.

It was also decided to provide free ration to the fisher folk during the trawling ban till July 31 and provide more educational facilities in the northern regions of the state where there were less number of Higher Secondary schools, he added.

UNI