Introduction
| Vision Statement | Policy Objectives
| Institutional Framework | E-Governance and Citizen Interface
IT based Human Resource Development | IT Industry and Infrastructure
| Action Plan with Milestones
IT INDUSTRY & IT INFRASTRUCTURE
The Government intends to use IT as a major instrument to provide new opportunities to all segments of society, particularly the educated unemployed youth. Establishment of good telecommunication infrastructure, which has been lacking in Manipur so far, is essential for development of IT industry. The following IT infrastructure should be developed and the Centre should be urged to provide them:
State Wide Area
Network
Software
Technology Parks
of India
Internet over Cable
Promotion of IT
Industry
Electronic
Commerce
Preferential
allotment of land
Change of land use
IT industries in
residential
localities
IT Enabled Services
Seminars,
Workshops &
Exhibitions
Village Telecom
infrastructure for
Internet
Floor Area
Regulation (FAR)
Clearances and
Support
Registration and
Stamp Duty
Sales Tax Concession
Applicable rate of
Sales Tax
IT as priority sector
for lending
ROW Clearance
Permission for
three shift
operation
Exemption from
Pollution Control
Self-certification/
exemption from
various Acts
Awards of
excellence
State Wide Area Network through VSAT covering State HQ and District HQ shall be set up. State Government will liase with BSNL/DoT to increase number of Telephone Exchanges in State. All these should be connected with OFC for wide/high bandwidth Internet Service/traffic. The VSNL is to be urged to establish its second International gateway in Manipur for the NorthEast, so that leased line secure network could be provided to ISPs/IT industry. The Core Group on Telecommunication Infrastructure Development shall oversee and co-ordinate the creation of Telecommunication infrastructure which are currently in the Central Government sector.
Software Technology Parks of India
A Unit of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) should be established in Manipur to act as Incubation Centre for software development and export. This may require the State Government to provide land. NEDFI may also be requested to set up a STP unit in Imphal.
Internet over Cable and other new technologies for Internet penetration by the private sector shall be encouraged.
The State Government recognises the need to give a fillip to investments by the private sector in IT Industry. The role of the State Government shall be to facilitate such investment by creating investor friendly environment, escort services, speedy clearance and reliable infrastructure. The IT industry shall be recognised as the major thrust area under the Industrial Policy. A special package of incentives, which provide opportunity for competitive growth under this IT Policy shall be worked out for the IT Industry
The development of electronic market places is transforming the structure of global economy, and linkages through E-Commerce shall become necessary sooner than later. The State Government shall take action to promote E-Commerce.
Preferential allotment of land
The State Government shall give preferential treatment for allotment of land to the IT industries.
The State Government shall endeavour to provide continuous and uninterrupted power supply for IT industries and shall exempt them from scheduled power cuts as far as practicable. Encouragement to captive power generation in IT Parks/IT locations shall be given by exemption from payment of Local Sales Tax for power equipment.
Change of land use for IT industry shall be liberally permitted.
IT industries in residential localities
The State Government shall permit setting up of IT Software units/ IT Parks in residential areas and change of existing industry to IT units/ IT Parks.
IT Enabled Services like Medical Transcription, Call Centres, Data Processing, Back-Office Operations, GIS, Revenue Accounting etc. which will provide employment opportunities to non-IT manpower will be encouraged.
Seminars, Workshops & Exhibitions
The Government shall encourage conduct of seminars, workshops and Exhibitions to disseminate information of IT to the public and local industries.
Village Telecom infrastructure for Internet
The government shall liase with the DoT/BSNL to bring the Telecom Infrastructure in the State to a level where all villages will have a public PCO capable of Internet connectivity/data communication.
Relaxation in FAR shall be permitted up to 100% for IT units and in all IT Parks.
Escort services and Single Desk Clearance for obtaining easy clearances and approval of various Government Departments shall be facilitated for the IT industries. The Department for IT shall co-ordinate approvals and facilitation.
Rebate on registration and transfer of property charges and exemption from stamp duty on a tapering scale shall be given for sale/ lease of built-up space to the IT Industry establishing facilities in private STPs/Government STPs/IT Parks as under:
The rebate would be applicable on the combined levy of registration fee, stamp duty and transfer of property duty and no total exemption of stamp duty would be extended. This concession would be available only for the first transaction, when the first sale by the infrastructure company is made to an IT industry.
Sales Tax Concession to new units and for expansion/ diversification will remain same as already provided for in the Industrial Policy of Manipur.
The State Govt. will endeavour to bring Zero Sales Tax on IT goods & services. The State Finance Department will examine the prevailing rates of Sales Tax on IT products in other States and issue necessary Orders.
IT as priority sector for lending
IT Software and IT Services shall be considered as a priority sector by of the State Level Financial Institutions for lending assistance.
The government shall assist in getting speedy clearance of Right of Way and use of infrastructure of Government utilities.
Permission for three shift operation
General permission is accorded, subject to such orders issued by the Police Department as necessary from time to time in public interest, to run a three shift operation to the IT Software and Services Industry.
Exemption from Pollution Control
IT Software industry shall be exempted from the purview of NOC and consent regime of the Manipur State Pollution Control Board, except in respect of power generation sets of more than 25 KVA Capacity.
Self-certification/ exemption from various Acts
Self-certification/ exemption for the IT Software Industry and exemption from routine inspections shall be permitted as far as possible regarding requirement of the Factories Act, Employment Exchange (Notification of Vacancies Act), Payment of Wages Act, Minimum Wages Act, Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act , Workmen Compensation Act , Shops and Establishments Act and Employees State Insurance Act.
The State will declare awards of excellence for outstanding performance in exports/domestic segment/employment generation for the IT industry.
Introduction
| Vision Statement | Policy Objectives
| Institutional Framework | E-Governance and Citizen Interface
IT based Human Resource Development | IT Industry and Infrastructure
| Action Plan with Milestones