The Group of Technology Companies (GTech), the industry body of IT/ITeS companies in the State, has appealed to the State and Union governments for assistance to set up an e- governance laboratory as part of an initiative to promote innovations.
Anoop P. Ambika, recently re-elected GTech secretary, said the proposed laboratory would work on innovations touching the lives of citizens.
Fast-track model“Once piloted here, these innovative solutions can be applied across the country. We are hopeful that the governments would support this initiative,” he said.
Mr. Ambika said GTech was exploring a fast-track model to evaluate and incubate potential ideas with close supervision by industry leaders.
GTech had urged the governments to formulate a long-term strategy to ensure that the benefits of the IT industry were spread to the smaller cities and towns of the country.
Smaller citiesV.K. Mathews, recently elected chairman of GTech for a third consecutive term, said the growth of the IT industry in smaller cities and towns was essential to decongest the big cities, provide rural employment, and promote an inclusive growth.
More jobs“One policy change that can effectively be a game changer in this regard is the restoration of export benefits through the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) scheme, at least for those companies in tier- 2 and 3 cities. Thousands of small IT units, especially those in the MSME sector will have funds to reinvest and grow, thereby creating additional employment. We will bring this to the notice of the Union government shortly,” he said.
Office-bearersOther GTech office-bearers elected were Alexander Varghese and Joseph Korah (both vice-chairmen), Binu Jacob and Mukund Krishna (both joint secretaries), and Bysakh Bhasi (treasurer).
