April 05, 2013 / 20:39 IST
The Government is targeting a ten-fold increase in software exports at Rs 20 lakh crore by 2020, Union Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Killi Kruparani said here today. "Last year, IT exports amounted to Rs 2.5 lakh crore and by 2020 we are targeting Rs 20 lakh crore," Kruparani said at a press conference.
Creation of 1.2 crore direct employment opportunities and five crore indirect employment opportunities in the IT sector was the target for 2020. Ten new Software Technology Parks of India (STPIs) would be set up in the next one year, adding to the existing 51, she added. "STPIs are already getting exemption from Central excise and custom duties and now we are seeking exemption from Central sales tax as well so that more foreign investment can be attracted," the Minister said. Kruparani said 15,000 village panchayats in Andhra Pradesh would get broadband connectivity by May 2014 under the National Optical Fibre Network project (NOFN). The project has been taken up at the cost of Rs 20,000 crore, and will cover 2.5 lakh village panchayats, she said. A pilot project has been completed in Paravada mandal in Visakhapatnam district and services to be delivered under this were being finalised, she said. To increase mobile phone connectivity in tribal areas, 2,199 cellular towers were being installed at the cost of Rs 3,000 crore, of which 227 would be in AP. A pilot would be launched in Srikakulam district to cover 100 per cent habitations, Kruparani said. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
