Infosys, Wipro chiefs in CM8217;s IT Task Force

BANGALORE, NOV 2: In keeping with the new Congress Government's latest mantra of going high-tech, Chief Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday a...

BANGALORE, NOV 2: In keeping with the new Congress Government8217;s latest mantra of going high-tech, Chief Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday announced plans to have a CM8217;s IT task force on the lines of the PM8217;s task force and promised 100 per cent sales tax and entry tax exemption to boost the State IT industry.

In his address after inaugurating Bangalore IT.com, Krishna also announced the opening of an office of an international certification agency in the City, a convention centre and cyber parks with international facilities.

Admitting that he took his first lesson in computers just a few days ago, Krishna said he was announcing these decision 8220;as per the advice given to me by IT professionals. I haven8217;t formed committees or sub-committees to debate and discuss these ideas. Instead, I have given a swift and decisive response. After all, information technology is a fast moving expressway and my administration recognises the fact8221;.

The chief minister8217;s task force will be headed by Infosys chairman N RNarayana Murthy and will comprise Wipro group chairman Azim Premji, Novell chief Vikram Shah, Microland CEO Pradeep Kar, Managing Director of Texas Instruments Sreeni Rajan, Digital CEO Som Mittal, Gururaj Desh Deshpande, Software Technology Parks of India Bangalore Director B V Naidu and State IT Secretary Sanjoy Dasgupta.

The State has already reached an agreement with Software Engineering Institute Carnegie Mellon University, Indian Institute of Science and LG Soft for opening up of a Software Certification Systems- Capability Maturity Model CMM in Bangalore.

8220;This will become operational by February 2000. It will service not only Bangalore and Indian software companies, but also those located all over Asia,8221; Krishna said.The state will also build cyber parks in Mysore, Hubli and Mangalore to help new promoters. Besides, it is planning to extend the IT corridor by setting up one more IT township near Bidadi which will be be at par with Silicon Valley, USA in terms if facilities. Karnataka willprepare a plan to encourage international airlines to operate direct flights to USA and Europe from Bangalore. He also said rules, regulation and procedures for IT companies will be amended so as to allow all registers and records to be maintained digitally and permit companies to submit returns through e-mails or floppies.

A special task force has already been constituted to explore the possibilities of exempting sales tax on all E-commerce transactions 8211; within a ceiling 8211; for a period of three years. Besides, 100 per cent exemption will be given on entry tax on computer hardware, accessories and raw materials used in the IT sector, and sales tax exemption for all IT industries. Work contract tax will be exempted on annual maintenance contracts of IT products and equipment, while stamp duty exemption will be provided for all units proposing to set up units in the Electronics City.