Maharashtra to observe 2008 as 'Information Technology Year'

Mumbai, Jan 1 (UNI) The Maharashtra Government has decided to observe the year 2008 as ''Information Technology Year''.

The decision to this effect was taken at a review meeting of the IT department which was chaired by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

At the meet, it was also decided to make available the various government services online. A ''digital backbone'' will be in place within the next two years towards achieving this objective, an official release here today said.

The work of digitisation will be completed by a joint venture of the IT department and TCS. The work entails an expenditure of Rs 25 crore, to be recovered through service tax, the release said.

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