Goa, Telangana ink MoU to set up IT hub

NT NETWORK
UTORDA
Goa and Telangana on Friday signed a pact for mutual co-operation in the information technology sector making Goa the first state to sign a state-to-state agreement to work in the field even as it aims to be a hub in information technology in the near future.
The MoU for setting up IT hub was signed by state Chief Secretary R K Srivastava in the presence of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao. Goa also signed a MoU with MAIT to provide support towards development of IT industry in Goa.
Speaking at the function, Parsekar said in the field of information technology it is a great day in Goa’s history. He said that every year 200 students graduate in the field of IT however they are forced to leave Goa as they do not get employment.
He said the state government has started work on the 150 acre electronic city and 100 acre IT park work for which has started. Taking a dig at the widespread opposition to various projects, he said people of Goa are very sensitive, love the environment and are very protective however when it is exaggerated it becomes a hindrance to development. He said that the government has already come up with an IT policy however a lot more needs to be done adding he hoped that Goa would soon catch up with Telangana in terms of information technology development.
Speaking at the function, Rao said with information technology booming by leaps and bounds “we have over 4,00,000 people directly employed in the IT sector but three-fold people are involved indirectly. He said Telangana has already rolled out 8 policies like manufacturers policy, innovation policy, startup, rural information policy besides that the state being the first in the country to launch cyber security policy and open data policy.
He said, “We definitely want to come to Goa not just for a vacation but to work. The 250 acre of land is good for a head start but infrastructure issues need to be addressed. Telangana has an attractive policy to attract investment and Goa should ensure that the investor has facilities of water, electricity, roads etc. Goa should also look at removing red-tappism in granting necessary permissions so that businesses can come and set shop while citing examples of the policies in practice in Telangana.”
He said that there is a need of skill development adding, “Telangana has an institution for skill development. The state even trains youth based on the requirement of the industry which is a very unique feature.”