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Information Technology Department
POLICY NOTE 2002-2003
DEMAND No. 30
INTRODUCTION
Tamil Nadu with its excellent physical and social infrastructure and the best human resources in the country continues to remain the destination of choice for Information Technology (IT) investments. About 40,000 professionals are employed in the IT sector in Tamil Nadu. Reputed organizations/ companies like the World Bank, ABN AMRO, EDS etc. have established their back office and Global Development Centres in Chennai. Bharti Enterprises, the first basic telecom service provider in the private sector has started operations in Tamil Nadu. The world's biggest submarine Optical Fibre Cable project - the i2i network - a joint venture between Bharti Enterprises and Singapore Telecom connecting Chennai and Singapore is all set to commence its operations shortly. The Telecommunication backbone of the State is being strengthened by providing an Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) Network. Private Communication providers are laying the OFC network and over 5000 Kms. has been covered. With these project, Chennai will become the "Connectivity Gateway of India". XANSA, a British Company has started work for setting up a software facility in Siruseri IT Park.
2. There are 866 IT Companies in Tamil Nadu who had exported IT products and services for about Rs.5,223 crores during 2001-2002, which was a comparatively lean year for the IT industry in general, because of the worldwide recession in the IT sector. With this, the IT exports from Tamil Nadu occupy a second position after Karnataka. The comparative figures for 2000-2001 are 766 companies and a turnover of Rs.3,116 crores.
3. A ‘Tamil Nadu IT Council’ under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Minister has been constituted to address on a continual basis all policy issues relating to the IT industry, human resources for IT and the use of IT in governance.
4. The Government of Tamil Nadu has launched several major initiatives to support the IT industry. As announced in the Governor’s address and subsequently mentioned in the Budget, the Government is taking necessary steps to stimulate and attract further IT industry in the state and also use IT as a tool for empowering people.
5. The Governor’s address outlined the 15 point programme of the Hon’ble Chief Minister which provides for the Technological leapfrogging for promotion of Research and Development in frontier areas of Information Technology, coordination of efforts between academic know how and field level do how, launching a movement for fostering greater public understanding of science and promoting a new social contract between Scientists and Society.
6. The Government has also announced a renewed thrust to the development of IT and IT-enabled services in order to ensure that Tamil Nadu achieves a pre-eminent position in the country.
7. A new Information Technology Policy will be announced:
- a) To establish Tamil Nadu as the Destination of choice for IT investments.
- b) To upgrade the quality of life for the citizens through e-Governance and IT applications in Government.
- c) To empower people in the rural areas so as to bridge the Digital Divide.
- d) To develop Research and Development initiatives
- e) To promote use of Tamil in Information Technology
8. Information Technology (IT) will be deployed to improve the internal efficiencies of the Government and increase the competitiveness of the old economy industries in the textile, leather and automobile sector. In view of the special focus given to the agricultural sector in the Budget, IT will be utilized to give access to the markets, inputs and agricultural technology to the farmers of Tamil Nadu so as to raise their productivity to world standards. Schemes for Electronic Delivery of Services (EDS) to the citizens will be launched.
9. The IT-highway at Chennai will be provided with world-class infrastructure and Knowledge Industry Township (KIT) will be set up with public-private partnership. An International Research & Development Knowledge Park will be established in Chennai through the Indian Institute of Technology , Chennai.
10. The Government is setting up special purpose vehicles to develop and promote the secondary cities of Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tirunelveli for IT and IT enabled services investments.
11. The Tamil Virtual University (TVU) was registered as a society in May 2000, funded by the Government of Tamil Nadu for providing internet based resource and opportunities for the Tamil communities living in different parts of the globe. Tamil Virtual University will undertake programme to teach Science and Engineering courses in Tamil and Internet based Tamil for the Tamil diaspora in different parts of the globe.
ELECTRONICS CORPORATION OF TAMIL NADU LIMITED (ELCOT)
Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (ELCOT) was incorporated in 1977 as a wholly owned enterprise of the Government of Tamil Nadu. In March 2002, ELCOT completed 25 years of service to Tamil Nadu.
ELCOT has promoted several ventures in the Joint, Associate and Escort sectors covering a wide range of electronics products like Equipment, Components, Infrastructure Projects, Consumer Electronics, Hi-Tech Communication, Software etc.
Over the years, ELCOT which is a dynamic and evolving organization has successfully re-engineered itself as an IT enabling company and today it is the “Nodal Agency” of the Government of Tamil Nadu for implementing its IT policy and programmes.
The various initiatives/projects being implemented by ELCOT can be grouped together under the following heads:
- A. Hardware/Software procurement.
B. Developmental projects.
C. Communication projects.
D. E-Governance projects.
A) HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE PROCUREMENT
ELCOT has been nominated as Optional Procurement Agency by State Government for procurement of IT related products required by various Government Departments and organizations under the G.O.Ms.No.58, Finance (BPE) Department, dated 16.2.1999. During this year, ELCOT had completed procurement of IT related products for the Departments of Survey and Settlement, Forest, Police and organisations like Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, District Rural Development Agency (DRDAs) etc.
B) DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS
1) Promotion of Tamil Nadu as the Destination Of Choice
At various fora like interactions with visiting foreign dignitaries, participation in various conferences and seminars, Tamil Nadu is hard sold by ELCOT as the Destination of Choice for IT investments, citing Tamil Nadu’s various inherent strengths like comfortable power position, top quality manpower and sound infrastructure.
2) Organising Conferences and Exhibitions
Government of Tamil Nadu through ELCOT in partnership with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organized ‘Connect 2001’ the International Conference on Information Technology, Communication and Bio-Informatics in Chennai. ‘Connect 2002’ will be held in Chennai in September, 2002, work on which is progressing at a fast pace. Similarly Coimbatore IT.com 2001, an Annual event projecting Coimbatore as an IT Destination was organized in December 2001 at Coimbatore in association with CII. Coimbatore IT.com 2002 will be held in November 2002.
ELCOT has co-sponsored an International conference on Nano computing at Thanjavur during December, 2001. This was the first such Conference in this field, which was attended by representatives from 7 countries including USA, UK and Israel.
3) Facilitating Industry - Academia Interactions
i) The Technology Information Forecasting Assessment Council (TIFAC) under Government of India has identified 5 colleges in the State to set up Center Of Relevance and Excellence (CORE) in areas like Advanced computing, Networking, Industrial design. ELCOT has been interacting with various TIFAC CORE activities in these Institutions.
ii) A Seminar on "Enhancing Business Communication Skills of Engineering Graduates" was held in Chennai jointly by the British Council and ELCOT to enhance the competitiveness of the Engineering Graduates from the State to bring in the state of the art technologies on written and spoken English. 40 Professors from 27 Colleges participated. 15 Colleges have started the programme in house.
iii) ELCOT will shortly enter into an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MIT Media Lab to optimally utilize the visiting faculty from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA for 'Training the Trainers' in the Engineering Colleges spread across the state in Emerging Technologies by conducting seminars and organizing special lectures.
iv) Media Lab Asia, a collaborative effort of Ministry of IT, Government of India and MIT is setting up its Regional Laboratory in Chennai. An international R&D Knowledge Park will be set up through IIT, Chennai. ELCOT will play the role of a facilitator in setting up of this park.
4) Bridging the Digital Divide
The pilot project of the Sustainable Access in Rural India (SARI) Project which aims to bring internet access in rural areas by deploying wireless in local loop technology (WiLL) is being implemented in Melur Taluk in Madurai District. The basic philosophy of SARI is to make a computer with an internet connection, an income generating device for the rural areas.
The SARI project will be scaled up to cover ten districts this year and all the districts in the entire state in the coming years.
ELCOT will be the Nodal Agency at the State level and District Collectors at the District level for the SARI project.
5) Promotion of IT Corridor
As announced in the Governor’s Speech, the Tiruporur IT Corridor along the old Mahabalipuram Road will be provided with world-class infrastructure and Knowledge Industry Townships (KITs) aimed at addressing the basic concerns of knowledge-oriented industries. KITs will be set up in public-private partnership in association with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
6) Promotion of Secondary Cities
Special Purpose Vehicles are being launched to study and provide secondary cities like Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai and Tirunelveli with world class infrastructure for attracting IT investments. The Government is projecting these cities as a major destination in IT enabled services sector and has decided to provide all infrastructure facilities with the co-ordination of ELCOT. All these efforts will be aimed at increasing employment opportunities not only for Engineers but for the other spectrum of educated youth also, in the area of IT Enabled Services.
7) Promotion of IT Parks
ELCOT has promoted several IT Parks like TIDEL and Elnet Software City in Chennai and Texcity Software park in Coimbatore. World class companies like EDS, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Verizon, Computer Associates, etc., are occupants of these Parks.
C) COMMUNICATION PROJECTS
1) Wireless System Projects
The Communication Division of ELCOT at Perungudi was commissioned in 1984 for manufacturing wireless products. The Division has been manufacturing wireless equipment of Crystal controlled technology and synthesizer technology and has executed the projects and supplies to various Police Departments throughout India. It has acquired expertise in executing turn key projects in wireless networks.
ELCOT is currently implementing a wireless network for the 12 coastal districts in Tamil Nadu for the purpose of disaster relief and emergency mitigation for the Revenue Department.
The supply and commissioning of wireless equipment has been done for various departments like Police, Forest etc. during 2001-2002.
2) Provision of connectivity to secondary cities
ELCOT is working closely with the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Chennai, a Government of India agency to provide world class Satellite based connectivity to the secondary cities namely Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tirunelveli. With the provision of the connectivity to the cities, there will be a balanced and all-round dispersal of IT development in the State.
D) E-GOVERNANCE PROJECTS
ELCOT is actively involved with the E-governance initiatives of the major departments like Registration, Revenue, Eduction, etc. Schemes for Electronic Delivery of Services (EDS) to the citizens will be launched. Utility payment services of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Metro Water and Chennai Corporation can be undertaken anytime/anywhere at the EDS centre.
1) Computer Education in Government Higher Secondary Schools
A program to impart Computer Literacy in public private partnership mode has been introduced at the 11th and 12th classes in Government Higher Secondary Schools spread over the state. Government has appointed ELCOT as the Nodal Agency for implementing this project. This project is for a period of five years on lease cum contract basis. The project is being implemented in two Phases. In the first Phase, 666 schools and in the second Phase, 531 Schools are being covered. About one lakh students are undergoing training in this scheme. This project has become the ‘National Model’.
2) Computer Education in Government Arts, Science, Law and Medical Colleges
To impart Computer Literacy and Internet skills to the college students, this programme also in public private partnership mode has been introduced in all the Government Arts, Science, Law and Medical colleges spread over the state and ELCOT has been appointed as the Nodal Agency for implementing the project.
i) Arts and Science Colleges
60 Colleges are covered under this scheme. About 28,000 Students are undergoing training in this scheme.
ii) Medical and Dental Colleges
11 Government Medical Colleges and one Government Dental College are covered under this scheme. About 1500 students are undergoing training in this scheme.
iii) Law Colleges
5 Government Law Colleges are covered under this scheme. 400 students are undergoing the training programme.
3) Laminated Driving Licences
ELCOT is issuing Laminated Driving Licence in all the 82 RTO / Unit offices since 1996. For this purpose, ELCOT has created the infrastructure facility including the Computer systems and other required accessories including manpower in all these RTO offices. So far, 45 lakhs Driving Licence cards in Tamil Nadu have been issued.
4) Computerisation of Transport Department
Transport Department has initiated computerisation of the Transport department. The project is undertaken in two Phases. The Phase I implementation is nearing completion. ELCOT is the Nodal Agency for the implementation of Phase II of computerization .
5) Provision of Internet Connectivity in Secretariat
ELCOT has established 2 Mbps internet connectivity in Secretariat in consultation with National Informatics Centre.
6) Computerisation of Registration Department –Project ‘STAR’
350 Sub Registrar offices / District Registrar offices are being computerised in a Phased manner. This project is established under Lease cum service contract for a period of 5 years which is managed by ELCOT. Project ‘STAR’ (Simplified and Transparent Administration of Registration) has been selected by the Government of India as one of the success stories of E-Governance initiatives.
7) Computer Training For BC, MBC & DNC Candidates
ELCOT acting as the Nodal agency has given training to 5000 BC/MBC/DNC candidates for one year period. Further, training for 2000 candidates are under consideration.
8) Video Conferencing System in State Headquarter and District Headquarters
A video conferencing system linking the District Collectorates and the Hon'ble Chief Minister's office/Secretariat has been established. A studio type video conference facility has also been created at the Secretariat.
9) Computerisation of Revenue Department
i) Touch Screen Kiosk at Taluk Offices
ELCOT has installed computer Touch Screen Kiosk in 30 Model Taluk Offices covering all the districts for the Survey and Settlement Department. Using the Kiosk, public can view the details of Land Patta, Birth and Death details, Land guidance value etc. and get the print out of certificates/details. Implementation of the kiosk systems in all the remaining taluks is under active consideration by the Government.
ii) Taluk Computerisation
ELCOT has supplied and commissioned Hardware and Software including Tamil Software at 206 Taluk offices for land record computerization throughout the State.
iii) Global Positioning System (GPS) project
ELCOT is implementing a pilot project for land survey for Survey and Settlement Department in Chengalpattu taluk using Global Positioning System (GPS) project.
10) Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and Digital Exchange at the Secretariat
ELCOT installed 100 lines ISDN exchange for intercom facility for the Hon’ble Ministers and Secretaries with Digital phones. 1000 lines digital exchange has been installed to communicate with the Secretariat for all the Departments.
11) Computerisation of Agricultural Marketing Department
For the Agricultural Marketing Department, ELCOT has taken up work of installing computer systems along with electronic display boards in the first phase, in 9 regulated markets. Through this, the farmers will be able to get the best price for their produce.
12) Web Development and Software Projects
ELCOT has executed several projects like the Market price inofmation web site for Sagoserve, Salem the internationally acclaimed website for the Government Museum, Chennai, etc.
TAMIL VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY
The Tamil Virtual University (TVU) was registered as a society in May 2000, funded by the Government of Tamil Nadu for providing internet based resource and opportunities for the Tamil communities living in different parts of the globe as well as others interested in learning Tamil and acquiring knowledge of history, art, literature and culture of the Tamils. The TVU commenced its operations since July 2000.
Vision
The Tamil Virtual University aims at providing Internet based resources and opportunities for the Tamil Communities living in different parts of the globe as well as others interested in learning Tamil and acquiring knowledge of the history, art, literature and culture of the Tamils.
Mission
- i) To develop and deliver Internet based learning material in Tamil language, literature and culture to global Tamil Communities and others interested.
- ii) To develop and deliver customized programmes to meet the cultural needs of the Tamil Communities in different parts of the world and help them retain contact with their heritage.
- iii) To initiate and continue necessary measures to co-ordinate and pool together knowledge resources, developed in Tamil in different parts of the world, for wider dissemination.
- iv) To offer academic programmes in Tamil Language, literature and culture for audit or credit and to award appropriate Certificate/Diploma/Degree through Tamil University, Thanjavur on completion of prescribed requirements.
- v) To undertake programme to teach Science and Engineering Courses in Tamil and internet based Tamil for the Tamil diaspora in different parts of the globe.
Academic Programme
The Educational Programme of TVU covers courses on Tamil from alphabets to advanced research through internet. It also includes courses on Tamil for tourists and other programmes on Tamil culture and art.
i) Certificate Course for Beginners
Certificate course is a programme for Beginners to learn Tamil from alphabets. In this course, the language skills in Tamil taught upto 6th standard in schools is offered under three levels, namely, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels. A primary programme with Rhymes and Moral stories is also included.
The lessons are developed with multimedia contents including, audio, video, animation, pictures, text, etc. in a manner that would create interest and provide motivation for learning in a self learning mode. A number of tests for self-evaluation are also given.
ii) Higher Level Programmes
The Higher Level Programmes of TVU include courses on Tamil Language, Culture, Literature, history, art, etc. from an introductory level to a higher level. The scheduled courses are Diploma, Higher Diploma, Bachelor and Post Graduate programme in Tamil and Research programmes that lead to Ph.D. These diplomas and degrees will be awarded by the Tamil University, Thanjavur.
iii) The Post Graduate Degree Programme is under consideration of the Academic Council.
Examination System
The examinations are planned in two modes
- i) Examinations through internet
ii) Examinations in person
Internet based examinations will be conducted by the respective course Directors through internet. The students will give their examinations through internet at the specified TVU study center in their locality. The examinations for the lesson components which cannot be conducted over Internet, will be conducted by the adjunct faculty members of TVU attached to the local study center concerned.
Digital Library
The Digital Library of TVU is developed for the benefit of the students of TVU and for the Tamils living abroad. It includes three sections, namely, Literature, Dictionaries and Other References.
The Library section accommodates the entire gamut of literature starting from Sangam Era to the present day, with the following features:
- i) Ancient and Medieval Literature are given along with their commentaries.
ii) Translations of Literary works of acceptable standards are also given.
iii) The Roman script versions of Tamil literary works are also given.
The distinct advantage of this digital library is its elaborate subject-indexing and search facilities.
The Dictionary section has dictionaries of different kinds, like Tamil-Tamil, Tamil-other Languages and other Languages-Tamil dictionaries, Thesaurus etc. At present the following dictionaries are in the web:
- i) The Lexicon of the Madras University
ii) The English-Tamil dictionary of the Madras University
iii) PALS English-Tamil Dictionary of Palaniyappa Brothers
iv) Tamil-Tamil Dictionary by M. Shanmugam Pillai
The section on other references, includes the following:
- i) Technical glossaries
ii) Video clippings on Tamil cultural events
iii) Links to other Tamil websites
Under technical glossaries, Tamil technical terms in several disciplines, including Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Agriculture, Information Technology, etc. are included. As of now, nearly 2 lakhs terms are uploaded in the website with search facility.
Establishment of Study Centres of TVU
For the effective administration of the TVU programmes, Study Centres of TVU need to be set up around the world. This activity is being co-ordinated through the members of the International Consultative Committee of TVU. The South African Tamil Federation (SATF) has decided to set up TVU Study Centres in four places in the country at Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. The Mauritius Tamil Cultural Centre has signed an MOU with TVU for setting up of a TVU Study Centre in Mauritius.
Tamil in IT Tasks
The tasks related to Tamil in IT were transferred to TVU from ELCOT in September, 2001. Tamil in IT tasks include the following:
- i) Management of Tamil Software Development Fund.(TSDF)
Five Projects are funded under TSDF, which are at the advanced stage of completion and two new projects are under consideration for funding.
- ii) Research on use of Tamil in Internet.
A Tamil Search Engine is under development by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Anna University funded under Research on use of Tamil in Internet.
- iii) Certification of Tamil Software Products.
Initially this responsibility was with Kanithamizh Sangam which was transferred to TVU in September, 2001. A number of Tamil Software products, including Tamil fonts, word processors, editors, Tamil keyboards and printers developed by various vendors have been tested and certified for conformity with TAM/TAB standards.
C.PONNAIYAN
MINISTER
FINANCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
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