Knowledge Industry needed a kickstart for further development in the State. A series of bold initiatives made by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan under the LDF Government like his tete a tete with IT majors at Bangalore have had a salubrious effect so much so that most of the major IT companies are either expanding their existing facilities or starting new ventures in the State more......

The two-pronged strategy of the LDF Government in the IT sector has begun to register rapid strides in the State. While the Government has been promoting setting shop here by National IT companies and International IT majors it has been adding up grass roots level measures to enhance the IT savvy of the common people so that Information Technology could come in a long way in bettering the quality of their life. Amidst the euphoria of the Smart City becoming a reality the Government is insistent, in fact a little adamant, in protecting the interests of the State. The Smart City project is progressing in a fast pace. Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram and Infopark in Kochi have registered expansion beyond all expectations. Government is proceeding with the efforts to set up IT parks in all district headquarters of the State. Although Government originally fixed its aim as the creation of two lakh jobs in the sector feedbacks suggest that the State will far exceed this target.

Technopark

Thirty three companies newly started functioning from here besides the existing 107 firms. Job opportunities arose from 12500 to 18000. About one million sq. feet area was newly added to the existing facilities. Software exports from here increased to Rs. 1200 crores from 700 crores. The investment capital arose from Rs. 800 crores to Rs. 1500 crores. ‘Thejaswini’ the biggest IT building was inaugurated. T.C.S. Global Study Centre, Tata ELXI Phase I, Armster Expansion, M Square, Panchanadam etc were also inaugurated. Two new SEZs were started in Technopark.

The campus for Infosys and buildings for NEST, Tata ELXI Phase III etc are under construction. The IT complex of Leela Holding will be completed soon. Work on TCS development centre will be started immediately. Government have come to an agreement with landowners for acquiring 100 acres of land for the phase III programme of Technopark. A new building with five lakh square feet area is also under construction. Activities for setting up Techno City in an area of 507areas, not far off from the present Technopark, are begun in full spirit. A master plan for expansion of Technopark is being prepared by M/s. Price Water House Coopers.

Infopark

Investment in Infopark rose to Rs. 416 crores and 2100 jobs additionally created. L&T Thejomaya complex of 3.5 lakh sq.ft. area was inaugurated. Leela complex of 3.5 lakh sq.ft is completed. Another complex of 5 lakh sq.ft. is under construction. Wipro campus of 9 lakh sq.ft. area intended to employ 1600 persons is coming up. A four-lane road connecting Infopark, Smart City, Kinfra Park with seaport and airport is under construction. TCS has also started construction of their building at Infopark.

State IT Mission

State IT Mission has been operating 1746 Akshaya Centres in 14 districts. Common people are enabled to carry on their transactions with Government and related organisations electronically through these centres. It is intended that all Akshaya centres will be developed into electronic centres ultimately.

IT Mission has launched programme for human resources development. A people-centred resource development for 2 lakh students is on the anvil. A model finishing school is functioning at Thiruvananthapuram under the joint management of IHRD and IT Department.

A series of programmes for switching over the administration at all levels to the electronic system have been executed. A Malayalam Computing project to develop Malayalam content in IT has been launched so as to help people knowing Malayalam only avail information that concerns them. This project is being implemented on a pilot basis in Kannur to be followed up in other districts afterwards.