Hi-tech Delhi soon 8212; Saathi

NEW DELHI, Nov 12: Come 2003 and the Capital would be better known as Cyber-state. At least that's what Delhi's Minister for Finance and ...

NEW DELHI, Nov 12: Come 2003 and the Capital would be better known as Cyber-state. At least that8217;s what Delhi8217;s Minister for Finance and Trade, M.S. Saathi, proudly proclaimed at the Chief Ministers8217; conference at Le Meridien, this afternoon.

Organised by PHDCCI, the conference 8212; 8220;Dynamic North 8212; Vision and Action8221; 8212; featured chief ministers of nine states or their representative ministers, chief secretaries, foreign ambassadors and industry personnel. The Delhi government, Saathi said, 8220;will act as facilitator to popularise the use of information technology in day-to-day life of the people by providing necessary infrastructural support like setting up of software technology parks, information technology institutes, deregulation networking infrastructure and other fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.8221;

he also said that recognising the need for 8220;a focal point for instant information flow and interaction amongst various players in international trade and commerce,8221; the government had decided to set up a World Trade Centre. Saathi added that 100 acres of land had been earmarked to set up a state-of-the-art 8220;Hi-Tech City for IT8217; in Dwarka Phase II.

Phase II. He went on to add, 8220;the city shall be equipped with the best communication links, uninterrupted and clean power supply with back-up power generation and other advanced technical facilities.8221;

Earlier, Saathi said Delhi Vidyut Board meets the Capital8217;s power demand, which ranges between 2,200 MW and 2,600 MW, largely from sources outside the state. 8220;There are no easy solutions or instant cure for Delhi8217;s power problems,8221; he acceded. But the government has brought out a strategy paper on the power sector in Delhi, he added. Based on the strategy paper, the government would aim to improve the quality of power supply and reduce transmission and distribution losses, among other things.

Also, the Central Government, Saathi said, is considering a proposal to withdraw Central Sales Tax, which would imply 8220;an immediate fall in revenue for most of the states.8221;

In Delhi, sales tax constitutes about 25 per cent of the revenue and the government would consider imposing or hiking cess on certain services to meet the revenue loss, the minister said.

Story continues below this ad

Before concluding his address, Saathi requested Haryana Chief Minister O.P. Chautala that the state release 40 million gallons of water to help Delhi fight its water shortage problem. Chautala, however, had left by then.