lnformation Technology (IT) occupies a key position in our modern age and
is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world economy. Applications of IT
have become all pervasive, covering all spheres of life. The Government of
Assam has recognized this and has formulated this Policy keeping in mind
the priorities of the Government and the possibilities that exist in the IT world
for achieving those priorities. The State desires to become a leading
destination for investment in Information and Communication Technology
(ICT) industry and to become a major partner in the Information Economy.
The basic objectives of the lnformation Technology Policy ofAssam shall be:
(a)To accord primacy for the growth of lnformation and Communication
Technology industry in the State.
(b)To address and alleviate poverty issues through Information Technology
and create a Mission for it.
(c)To accelerate the use of lnformation Technology in the Government at all
possible levels with a view to bringing efficiency, transparency,
accountability and increased productivity.
(d)To take up time bound training programmes in computer skill development
and capacity building of the government servants from top to bottom.
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(e)To improve delivery of the Government services to the citizens of the
State.
(f)To design systems and programmes to enhance employability of the
educated unemployed youth in the State in the ICT sector.
(g)To enable the State to reach an eminent position in the lnformation
Technology sector.
(h)To encourage the spread of IT in the private sector in the State.
(i)To encourage and accelerate the growth of the domestic and the export
oriented IT units in the State and make the State an attractive destination
for major IT players within and outside India.
(j)To encourage and accelerate the use of Information Technology in schools,
colleges and educational institutions in the State and enable the youth to
acquire necessary skills and knowledge in this sector, thus making them
highly employable.
(k)To put in place programs and schemes aimed at women's participation in IT sector both in terms of employment and entrepreneurship.
(I)To develop programmes and training modules for the differently abled
and challenged segments of the society and provide opportunities for
them for employment in IT and lTeS industry and towards this end, create
incentives for those who train and employ such segments of the society.
(m)To encourage use of local language in the applications and promote use
of bilingual formats in all applications; and take up programmes and
initiatives for development of technologies and softwares in local
languages; and towards this end, create incentives for those who undertake
development of technologies concerning local languages.
(n)To set-up ICT colleges and specialized training institutes in private sector
and joint sector in order to prepare skilled manpower from within Assam.
(o)To organize Manpower Development Programme (MDP) in the field of
ComputerApplications for the successful implementation of the Information
Technology Policy of Assam.
(p)To promote initiatives in the field of Tele-Medicine and related areas,
E-Tourism, E-Commerce, E-Education etc.
(q)To take such steps as may be necessary for promoting IT and lTeS
industries in order to generate gainful employment to the people of Assam
and provide them better quality of life.
(r)To promote and set up critical ICT infrastructure such as communication
networks, IT Parks, BPO and Knowledge Cities and peripheral services
through Government and Private Partnerships.
(s)To commission such studies and surveys through reputed National/International consulting firms for gaining insights into the investment and
employment possibilities in Assam in the fields of IT and lTeS and
thereupon initiate all required steps.
(t)To appoint consulting firms/institutes/reputed individuals to aid and advise
the Government on IT, ICT and lTeS matters.
(u)To build the capacities of the Assam Electronics Development Corporation
Ltd. (AMTRON), the State IT Nodal Agency to enable it to partner
meaningfully with the State Government to achieve the objectives of this
Policy.
The Information Technology Policy lays down the following strategies and
enablers to achieve its broad objectives:-
(a) Government to Government (G2G) Strategies
(b) Government to Business (G2B) Strategies
(c) Government to Citizen (G2C) Strategies
(d) ICT Interventions in Education Sector
(e) National e-Governance Plan (NeGP)
(f) Strengthening of Government Institutions
(g) IT Infrastructure Development and Growth Strategies
(h) Security Policy
(i) Implementation of the ITAct, 2000
(j) GIS and Mapping Policy
(k) Data Mining and Data Warehousing Policy
(I) Free and Open Source Software Policy
(m) Anti Piracy Policy
(n) Investment Promotion Policy
(a)The Government will endeavour to build capacities within the system for
training the manpower and deploying appropriate infrastructure and
machinery. For the purpose of training, employees will be categorized as
per their existing skills and future job requirements, and they would be
given suitable training in Governmental and non- Governmental institutions
within the country. The Government may also consider sending people
abroad for training and capacity building.
(b)All the Government Departments shall be computerized in consultation
with the IT Department and appropriate databases of information will be
created with a view to achieving expeditious disposal of Government
business.
(c)The IT Department in consultation with all the concerned Departments
will prepare a comprehensive Plan of Action for e-Governance within the
overall framework of the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).
(d)Administrative Reforms and Training Department shall undertake the study
of various business processes in the Government and establish improved
versions of the processes by way of appropriate business process re-engineering
to enable efficient G2C services. For the purpose, the
Administrative Reforms and Training Department shall utilize services of
the IT Department for launching of appropriate e-Governance tools
according to the improved business processes.
(e)The Government in IT Department shall endeavour to develop websITeS
and web based applications for various departments in consultation with
them. No department shall initiate IT applications independently without the approval of the IT Department. This ensures that there is no duplication
of efforts and investments.
(f)The Information Technology Department in association with AMTRON will
lay down the Enterprise Architecture in consultation with agencies such
as NIC and other stakeholders for development, deployment and
integration of various applications across the departments in the State
Government.
(g)The Government shall endeavour to have connectivity among all its offices
by March, 201 0, through a complete convergence of voice, video and
data networks all across the State Govt. departments. This would be
achieved through the ASWAN, and its up-scaling.
(h)The Government shall make a special budget allocation of at least 5% of
plan fund allocation to the Government departments every year to complete
their computerization programmes, and implementation of the various
components and strategies outlined in this IT Policy. An IT Sub-Plan (ITSP)
would be formulated by the departments in consultation with the IT
Department and the same shall be closely monitored
(a)It shall be the endeavour of the Government to promote IT Industries in
the private sector in the State.
(b)The Government will undertake to provide training to unemployed educated
youth in order to make them eligible for employment in the IT sector.
(c)The Govemment shall create such atmosphere as is congenial for attracting
investment in the State from major IT players from lndia and abroad.
(d)The Government shall make efforts to create Information Technology Parks
(ITPs) at appropriate locations in the State and encourage investment
from entrepreneurs in the IT sector. The Government shall encourage
private organizations for establishing STPs, BPO/KPO city, Hardware
Parks, Knowledge Corridors etc.
(e)To bring visibility in the IT Sector, the Government shall permit
establishment of the IT industries in certain earmarked areas only.
(f)The Government shall endeavour to set up electronic sub-urban townships
at appropriate locations having fully developed integrated infrastructural
facilities. These electronic cities/towns shall be solely for the use of the
Information Technology Industry and allied services. The State Govemment
will encourage private sector participation in development of such
infrastructure. The Government in this regard shall co-ordinate and liaison
with the Software Technology Park of lndia (STPI) and other regulatory
bodies.
(g)In order to ensure that the Information Technology industries in the State
are in a position to meet the standards for obtaining International Quality
Certificates like ISO 9000, CMMi Levels, SEMA and other Software
Engineering Institute (SEI) certifications which are insisted upon by
International companies, efforts would be made to establish such
organizations or their branches at Guwahati, which shall be authorized to
issue such certifications as may be necessary.
(h)For development of 100% Export Oriented Units (EOU) in Assam, the
Government of lndia would be requested to designate an Officer at
Guwahati to grant necessary clearances/and approvals under 100% Export
Oriented Scheme.
(i)lnformation Technology industries in the State would get assistance with
the development of communication network in the State for which the
Government and its agencies would constantly liaise and co-ordinate with
the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government
of lndia and draw up time bound action plans for up-gradation and
strengthening of communication networks. The State Govemment shall strive
to provide an OFC based communication backbone through AMTRON.
(j)The Government shall endeavour to arrange financial assistance to the
lnformation Technology industries to be established and set-up in the State.
The Government will initiate dialogue with the banks and Financial
Institutions to evolve a suitable procedure for obtaining finance for the
units on a priority basis. The State Government would create a corpus
fund as venture capital fund with AEDC to provide assistance to the IT
sector.
(a)The Government shall employ IT services with a view to providing better
services to the citizens.
(b)The Government shall endeavour to connect various establishments of
the Government and shall establish a State Wde Area Network with suitable
bandwidth with a view to providing services at the doorsteps of the people.
For this purpose the Government would put in place appropriate Public-
Private-Partnership (PPP) models such as Common Services Centers
(CSCs). The Government would strive to explore latest communication
technologies such as WiMAX, BPL, PLC, ADSS etc. to make penetration
of connectivity, especially Internet, at affordable costs to the masses.
(c)The Government will take such steps as necessary in the field of IT and
lTeS in order to improve the quality of life of the citizens not only in terms
of providing expeditious services but also providing gainful employment
to the educated and unemployed youth.
(d)The Government would promote use of e-Commerce, plastic money,
payment gateways etc. to enable online transactions.
(e)The Government shall also put in place appropriate mechanisms for
enforcement of existing cyber laws and prevention of crimes in the cyber
space.
(a)The Government shall encourage the use of lnformation Technology in all
educational institutions by way of giving special grants every year to enable
them to put up the necessary infrastructure. Connectivity between the
various educational institutions would also be established through various
schemes such as EDUSAT and ASWAN.
(b)The Government shall endeavour to teach the school level children the
use of computers and to impart training through computers. The ongoing
scheme Rajiv Gandhi Computer Literacy Programme (RGCLP) would be
extended to all the Govt. Schools and Madrassas in the State.
(c)The Government shall strive to promote use of PC among students and
assist in bridging the digital divide by implementing ongoing PC penetration schemes such as Anundoram Borooah Award Scheme.
(d)All college students in the State of Assam would be encouraged to
undertake suitable courses such as three months modules in the use of
lnformation Technology and the working of computers. The Government
would endeavour to provide incentives in this regard.
(e)The Government shall endeavour to increase the number of college
students specializing in lnformation Technology to meet the needs of the
Information Technology industry for both export and the domestic markets.
The syllabi for specialization in computer education would be standardized
and recognized to make it more relevant. The Education Department would
monitor the placements on offer and make suitable changes in the design
of courses according to the need of the jobs.
(f)The Government would set up Finishing Schools in partnership with major
IT companies to enable the graduate and post graduate students to become
employable.
(g)The Government will strive to introduce computer education to all
recognized Secondary Schools, High schools and High Madrassas at an
affordable cost.
(a)The Government of Assam is a participating State in the National
e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of the Department of Information Technology
(DIT), Ministry of Communications and lnformation Technology (MCIT),
Government of India.
(b)The Core ICT infrastructure being developed in the State under the NeGP
are:-
i. State Wide Area Network (SWAN)
ii. State Data Center (SDC)
iii. Common Services Centers (CSC)
iv. Capacity Building
v. Assam State Online Portal (ASOP)
vi. Assam State Services Delivery Gateway (ASSDG)
(c) For implementation of the above programmes under NeGP, the State
Government has nominated the Assam Electronics Development
Corporation Ltd. (AMTRON) as the State Nodal Agency.
(d)TheApex Committee has been set up in the State under the chairmanship
of the Chief Secretary, Assam.
(e)The Mission Mode Projects identified in the State are:-
i.e-Districts
ii.Commercial taxes
iii.Treasuries
iv.Transport
v.Land records
vi.Registration
vii.Panchayat & Rural Development
viii.Municipal bodies
ix.Health & Family Welfare
x.Environment & Forests
xi.Food & Civil Supplies
(f)Each of the Mission Mode Projects (MMP) department shall have to
constitute a Project e-Governance Mission Team to ensure proper design,
development and deployment of the application programmes under
suitable models such as PPP.
(g)Each of the identified departments shall prepare a capacity building
roadmap concerning application of the ICT in the Department.
(h)Each department of the Government of Assam shall appoint one Nodal IT
Officer (NITO) to liaise with the IT Department for all matters concerning
IT.
(a)TheAssam Electronic Development Corporation Ltd. (AMTRON) and
AMTRON Informatics (India) LM. (A1 IL) are fully State Government owned enterprises in the IT sector in the State. The Government shall initiate all
necessary steps to strengthen these Institutions and also enable them to
provide quality IT and ICT services to the Government and the citizens.
(b)The Government shall strengthen the Assam Remote Sensing Application
Centre (ARSAC) as a key institution for remote sensing applications. It
will encourage the institution to function as an advanced research and
development body and an international class training institution for
imparting skills and knowledge in remote sensing and GIS.
(c)The Government shall endeavour to bring partners from Corporate/Private
sector to take up training programmes for the Government employees as
well as citizens and students.
(d)The Government shall also endeavour to create an autonomous Institution
which will be responsible for establishing best Government practices,
efficient services, e-governance and smart governance. The IT
Department will take such steps as are necessary for an early
establishment of such a body. The body may be called Assam State
Institute for e- Governance (ASIEG) and should be developed on the
lines of the National lnstitute for Smart Governance (NISG), Hyderabad.
The equity holders could be the Government, AMTRON, AllL and other
recognized ICT associations and if need be, MNC level corporate bodies in the private sector
(e)The Government shall co-ordinate and liaise with the Software Technology
park of India (STPI), Ihe nodal agency for development for the Software
industry and organizations such as Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL),
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), Department of Information Technology
(DIT), Department of Telecornmunications (DoT), National Informatics
Centre (NIC) and other such organizations of the Government of India to
expand communicationls links and other IT infrastructure in the State of
Assam. These agencies shall be encouraged to set up gateways and
earth stations and the Gctvernlnent shall try to provide land/building/space
and other facilities whenever possible on priority basis, if need be at
concessional rates.
(a)The Government of Assam shall focus on key areas that would stimulate
growth of the IT industry in the State and large scale employment
generation for the local educated unemployed youth.
(b)For this purpose the Government shall strive to build state of the art
communication network across the State in PPP mode.
(c)The Government shall establish at least one IT Park with ancillary facilities
such as one 5 star hotel and an international standard convention center
in or around Guwahati under PPP mode to attract investment in the State.
(d)The Government will provide land at concessional rates for IT industrial
houses evincing considerable investment in the State, opening up their
full fledged offices for overseas operations or setting up national level
developrment centers in Assam.
(e)The Government shall establish a Level lll / IV data center in or around
Guwahati with ultra modern security arrangements which could be shared
by other private and Government stake holders.
(f)The Government shall strive to set up an International Gateway in Guwahati.
(g)The Government shall promote a State level OFC network built on the
high tension power lines and subsidiary electricity distribution networks in
Assam using appropriate technologies such as OPGW and ADSS. In this
regard, the State owned corporations such as AMTRON, AEGCL (Assam
Electricity Grid Corporation Ltd.) and the DISCOMs under the aegis of the
Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) shall work in tandem to achieve
this goal in a short time frame. Whereas AMTRON shall front-end on
network implementation and usage, the AEGCL and other concerns of
the ASEB shall focus on installation and upkeep of the network to provide
24x7 availability of services to be run on the network.
(h)The Government shall undertake large scale schemes for creation of quality
manpower generation in the ICT sector.
(i)The Government shall strive to create systems and technologies for local
language and local content development through private participation
(a)The State is in the process of formulating IT Security Policy as per ISO
17799 security standard and prevalent Cyber laws of India. The
Government Security Policy prescribes the application of safeguards to
reduce the risk of injury. It is designed to protect employees, preserve the
confidentiality, integrity, availability and value of assets, and assure the
continued delivery of services. Since the Government proposes to rely
extensively on lnformation Technology (IT) to provide its services, this
Policy emphasizes the need for departments to monitor their electronic
operations, and conduct regular security audit of the IT systems and
software.
(b)The departments shall be required to appoint a Departmental Security
Officer (DSO) to establish and direct a security program that ensures coordination
of all Policy functions and implementation of Policy requirements.
These functions include general administration (departmental procedures,
training and awareness, identification of assets, security risk management,
sharing of information and assets), access limitations, security screening,
physical security, protection of employees, Information Technology security,
security in emergency and increased threat situations, business continuity
planning, security in contracting and security incident investigations.
(c)The State Government shall provide adequate capacity building, training
and skill upgradation of the DSOs.
(d)AIl the departments and their respective bodies, agencies and boards will
strive to have individual websites of their own by the end of March, 2010. All such websites should have one of the gov.in, .in, .co.in, .net.in, .edu.in,
.ac.in, .org.in as 3rd level domain name. The websites should be hosted
preferably with NIC or AMTRON. The existing websites not having the
above domain name at 3rd level should migrate to the same by 31st
March, 2010.
(a)The State Government shall make Rules as provided for under Section
90 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (No. 20 of 2000) and the IT
(Amendment)Act, 2008 (No. 10 of 2009).
(b)These Rules would largely cover the provisions of the Section 6, 6A and
7 of the Act, especially concerning electronic transactions, electronic filing,
electronic record keeping etc.
(c)The State Government shall implement the Electronic Gazette for
publication of all notifications in the Official Gazette.
(a)The Assam Remote Sensing Application Centre (ARSAC) shall be the
State level coordination agency for GIS and remote sensing. AMTRON
and ARSAC shall work in tandem to create a physical (hard copy) and
digital repository of maps and images concerning the State ofAssam.
(b)Whereas AMTRON, which has core competence in digital storage and
data management, shall focus primarily on digital conversion of paper
maps, archiving of digital images and deployment of map servers.
(c)Whereas ARSAC, which has core competency in remote sensing and
image interpretation, shall focus on providing solutions to the various
Government departments concerning extensive use of satellite image
interpretations, development of need specific modules and routines in
this regard.
(d)The Government shall strive to create a comprehensive Decision Support
System (DSS) based on GIS especially in the agriculture, forestry, roads
and communication, disaster management and land records.
(e)Every department implementing a scheme on ground having a spatial
component such as building, road, any other construction, plantations
etc. shall strive to pick up latitude and longitude of the corner points or
central points as applicable and strive to build a comprehensive database
on GIS platform. Every department shall strive to create a GIS database
of its immovable assets, administrative boundaries and in implementation
of various State and Centrally sponsored schemes.
(f)The Revenue Department and the Municipal bodies shall endeavour to
modernize land survey using latest technologies such as DGPS and high
resolution images and create a digital map of all land parcels in the State
ofAssam within 2012 AD.
(g)The Government shall create an Assam State Spatial Database (ASSD)
which shall be the repository of all Geo spatial datasets pertaining to the
State. The ASSD shall be housed in the State Data Centre.
(h)Every Department generating physical and digital maps shall have to
deposit an authenticated copy of physical hard copy/digital map set to the
ASSD for archival.
(i)The Government shall strive to create Statewide Land Information System
(LIS).
(j)Every department shall strive to deploy open source available GIS and
imaging tools for large scale usage of the sohare.
(k)The Government shall lay down a comprehensive Map Creation and Usage
Guidelines separately for use by all the Government departments.
(I)The Government shall leverage existing State level institutions such as
the Assam Administrative Staff College (AASC), Assam Survey and
Settlement Training Institute (ASSTI) and Assam Forest School (AFS) to
impart mapping, GIs and remote sensing training to district level and
grass root level functionaries on a large scale.
(a)All the Government data would be treated as institutional asset and would
be held by the Government to support its fundamental administrative,
analytical and public service delivery systems. The intent of Data Mining
and Data Warehousing strategy is to assure that the data are easily
accessible to the Government, staff, beneficiaries and citizens in Assam.
However, the Government shall endeavor to protect its data assets through
security measures.
(b)Permission to view or query data contained in the State Data Warehouse
would be granted to data users for legitimate purposes and data would be
available only upon authentication of identity.
(c)Data Integrity, Validation and Correction: Departmental Nodal IT Officers
(NITO) shall be responsible for assuring that the applications that capture
and update data incorporate edit and validation checks to protect the
integrity of the data.
(d)Data Users are responsible for helping to correct data problems or
inaccuracies by supplying as much detailed information as possible about
the nature of the erroneous data.
(e)All users and departments within the Government will follow a well defined
practice to prepare data so that the same can be shared, viewed, queried
across the Government whenever and wherever required.
(f)Meta Data will be collected and reviewed at all the three critical stages -
data preparation, data modeling, and deployment - to classify as
Transactional Data, Purchased Data and Collected Data for Data Mining
process within the Government.
(g)The Government shall strive to build a robust Information System (IS)
based on Meta Data and Digital content.
(a)The Government would promote use of Free and Open Source Software
(FOSS) in all the departments and State agencies, bodies and authorities.
(b)The State Government would promote manpower development and training
in use of FOSS, especially in day to day office works.
(c)The State Government would promote imparting training on FOSS in
schools and colleges.
(d)Entrepreneurs/ companies using FOSS for application/website
development would be given preference over those using third party
packaged applications.
(e)All source codes customized1 developed for any State Government body
shall be duly archived in a repository, and shall be made available freely
to other Government departments.
(f)The Government departments and bodies would ensure that Open
Document Format (ODF) is adhered to in creating and storing editable
documents, data and information and all applications developed by the
respective departments adhere to ODF and other Open Standards and,
are largely independent of Operating Systems (OS) and web browsers.
(g)The Government departments and bodies would ensure that any generic
hardware procured has support for multiple Operating Systems(OS) such
as Unix, Linux, Opensolaris and other open source platforms
(a)All the State Government departments, bodies, agencies and authorities
shall ensure that all computer hardware and accessories purchased are
genuine and certified by the OEM.
(b)All the State Government departments, bodies, agencies and authorities
shall ensure that all software loaded in the computers and systems in use
in their respective premises is having only genuine licensed software.
(c)All concerned authorities buying computer hardware and software should
ensure that the supplier certifies that all components loaded in the system
are genuine and licensed. Adequate proof of such license should be
provided by the supplier to the procurement authority. Such a proof of
license should be kept securely in custody by the procurement authority.
(d)All end users in the Government shall have to give an undertaking to the
Government as per this Policy to use licensed software in the PCs/servers
under his/her possession and that he/she shall not install any unauthorized/unlicensed software. Any violation to this shall attract action under prevailing
law.
(a)The State Government will identify potential investors and showcase their
value.
(b)Make propositions in the specific context of their business ventures and
aspirations.
(c)The State Government will try to have tie-ups with leading international
and national consulting firms for attracting investments in the ICT sector.There will be a success fee of 1% on the amount of investment subject to
a maximum of Rs. 25.00 lakh in each case. The amount of the success
fee shall be borne by the State Government. Government will stipulate
the eligibility criteria and performance matrix for consulting firms separately.
(d)The State Government will create tie-ups with other State Governments
and countries including their agencies for exploring the possibility of co-investment
by companies in ICT industry desirous of investing in more
than one State/Country.
(a)In this IT Policy, Government means the Government of Assam, unless
the context otherwise specifies it to mean the Government of India or any
other Government.
(b)lnformation Technology includes lnformation Technology,
electronics, communications e-Governance and m-Governance initiatives,
e-Commerce and m-Commerce.
(c)lnformation Technology Industry includes computer hardware,
networks and accessories industries, software industries, IT enabled
Industries and electronics/lT hardware manufacturing industries.
(d)IT software Industry includes IT software, IT and IT enabled services
including registered training institutions.
(e)lT Infrastructure Companies mean the real estate infrastructure
developer(s) or buiIder(s) constructing IT Office space for sale/lease or
for lease-cum-sale to IT Industry/Financial Institution for the purpose of
IT activities by the IT industry defined above.
(f)Telecommunication Companies include Basic Telecom Service
Providers (fixed), VSAT, cellular (Mobile) companies, Telecorn
Infrastructure companies, lSPs and any other value added services licensed
by Ministry of Communications & Information Technology, Government of
India.
(g)Date of commencement of commercial operation in respect of a product,
goods or services is the date on which commercial operations of the
company has commenced for that particular operation i.e., the date of the
first commercial sale bill/ invoice raised by the ICT company concerning a
particular product, goods or services.
(h)SME Units would mean Small & Medium Enterprises and Companies
with sales income/ turnover less than Rs. 1 crore per annum.
(i)New Unit means an IT unit, which has commenced commercial
production on or after the date on which this Policy is being notified.
(j)Existing Unit means an IT unit, which is or was in commercial
operation at any time prior to the date on which this Policy is being notified.
(k)100% Export Oriented Unit means an IT unit, which undertakes to
export its entire value added goods and services subject to relaxation as
permitted by the Government of India from time to time.
(I)Fixed Capital means and includes cost of land & its development,
building including operational space, godown, laboratory, plant &
machinery & its installation cost, preoperative expenses capitalized,
electrical and such other equipment, which are directly related to operational
activity.
(m)Expansion on an IT Unit means additional fixed capital investment
exceeding at least 25% of the capital investment of the existing unit. For
the purpose of calculation gross value of all capital investment made on
land, building and plant and machinery of the existing unit will be taken
into consideration. Expansion shall also imply an increase of 25% in the
existing Installed Capacity as well as increase in additional employment
by at least I0%.
(n)Modernization means separately identifiable investment made by an
industrial unit involving new/improved technology having definite
advantages in reduction of Cost of Production provided the additional
investment in fixed assets should not be less than 25% of the gross fixed
capital.
All industries defined as IT industries shall be eligible, subject to their
fulfilment of the laid down criteria, for the incentives enumerated in the
Policy. The units undergoing expansion/modernization shall be eligible
for incentives for the increased capacity created after expansion/
modernization of the existing unit provided the units fulfill the criteria
enumerated in this Policy.
Incentives shall be available to the new units as well as existing units
undergoing expansionlmodernization. The package of incentives shall be
as follows:
(a)Value Added Tax (VAT) Incentives:
All new and existing units undergoing expansionldiversification shall be
eligible to claim VAT incentives as per the Acts and Rules of the
Governrnent ofAssam being in force.
(b)Power Subsidy :
Power subsidy shall be available for a period of 5 years from the date of
going into commercial production. The amount of subsidy shall be 50%
subject to a ceiling of Rs.5.00 lakhs per year.
IT Software companies, Telecommunication companies, IT Enabled
Industries and Electronic/lT Hardware manufacturing industries will be
treated as industrial (and not commercial) and Electricity Tariff applicable
to Industrial Consumers will be levied. Continuous, uninterrupted and
quality power supply will be available for Information Technology and
Telecommunication Industries.
These companies will be exempted from the purview of statutory power
cuts and are eligible for Industrial Category Power Tariff. IT and
Telecommunication Companies
located in multiple premises or having
multiple meters would be eligible for these concessions provided the power
connections are in the name of the IT Company or theTelecommunication
Company.
(c)Subsidy on Generating set:
The subsidy on captive generating set including non-conventional energy
generation set shall be 50% of the cost of the generating set subject to a
ceiling of Rs. 10.00 lakhs per industrial unit.
(d)Interest Rate Subsidy on Working Capital:
@ 30% of the amount of lnterest on Working Capital Loan/Cash Credit for
a period of 5 (five) years, subject to a maximum of Rs.5.00 lakhs per unit
or 20% of the turn over which is less.
(e)Subsidy on Bandwidth for connectivity:
30% subsidy on Bandwidth for connectivity paid to ISP shall be available
for a period of three years from the date of going into commercial
production/operation. The Subsidy amount will be determined on the
basic Bench Mark prices to be published by AMTRON.
(f)Special lncentives for Women:
Special emphasis would be provided under this Policy for creating
congenial atmosphere for women entrepreneurs in the IT industries. Units
set up by women entrepreneurs and largely employing women from the
State would be provided special incentives by the IT Department.
(g)Special lncentives for the Differently Abled and Challenged:
Special incentive package would be worked out by the IT Department for
imparting training in the IT sector to the people from differently abled and
challenged segments of the society in the State.
(h)Special Incentives Scheme for AMTRON/ AIIL:
The IT Department would provide a special package of incentives for reimbursement of VAT remitted by AMTRON and its wholly owned subsidiary AMTRON INFORMATICS(INDIA) LTD (AIIL) for manufacturing of electronics, white goods, and other ICT hardware and products, by way of making adequate budget provision in the IT Deptt's Annual Budget.
(i)Manpower Development subsidy:
Subsidy on Manpower development shall be provided in respect of Training
/Technical up gradation /Skill up gradation of local persons in a registered
training organization/institution subject to following ceiling:-
Investment in fixed capital |
Total Ceilinq |
|
| Up to |
Rs. 20.00 Iakh |
Rs. 1.50 lakh |
|
| Rs. 20.00 lakh to |
Rs. 25.00 lakh |
Rs. 2.00 Iakh |
|
| Rs. 25.00 Iakh to |
Rs. 50.00 Iakh |
Rs. 3.00 Iakh |
|
| Rs. 50.00 lakh to |
Rs. 100.00 lakh |
Rs. 5.00 Iakh |
|
| Above |
Rs. 100.00 lakh |
Rs. 10.00 lakh |
|
The above amount shall be available for a period of 5 (five) years from the
date of commercial production /operation of the unit only.
(j)For Mega Projects:
The Government would consider special incentives on a case by case
basis in addition to the benefits already provided. A Mega Project may be
defined as one having investment of Rs.100.00 crore and more.
(k)Early Bird Incentive:
Additional 10% increase in all applicable fiscal incentives under this Policy
would be provided as Early Bird incentives for units coming up in the
State during the first 2 years, subject to a ceiling of 5 units.
(l)Special Incentives for IT Enabled Industries and Electronic/IT hardware manufacturing industries:In addition to the benefits provided to IT Industries the following benefits
shall be provided for IT enabled Services and Electroni/IT hardware
manufacturing industries:-
i. Fiscal:
a. 100% Stamp Duty exemption
b. 100% exemption from payment of Electricity Duty
c. Exemption from payment of Entry Taes
d. Double FSI (FAR) for units built in IT parks/ HW parks
ii.Non Fiscal:
a. Permission for 24x7 working
b. No restrictions on employing women workers at late hours
c. lTeS and Electronic/IT hardware manufacturing industries to be
treated as essential services and 'Continuous Process' units
d. Unlimited captive and backup power generation would be permitted
e. These units would be treated as Independent Power Producers
iii.The eligibility criteria for the above for IT lndustry and IT
Software Industry are as follows:
a.The unit should have office in the State and provide employment to
local persons.
b.The unit must be a Turnover based entity located in the State.
c.To claim incentives, the Value Addition has to be carried out in the
State
d.The unit should be located in a designated area as notified by the
Government.
(a)In order to avail the concessions and subsidies the concerned unit
shall have to obtain an Eligibility Certificate.
(b)Eligibility Certificate is a certificate for claiming concessions and
subsidies by any unit under the IT Policy. The Assam Electronics
Development Corporation Ltd. shall issue the Eligibility Certificate.
(c)No right or claim for any Incentives under the scheme shall be deemed
to have been conferred by the scheme merely by virtue of the fact that
the unit has fulfilled on its part the conditions of the scheme.
(d)The incentives under the scheme cannot be claimed unless the Eligibility
Certificate has been issued under the scheme by the implementing
agency and the unit has complied with stipulations / conditions of the
Eligibility Certificate.
(e)The decision of the implementing agency subject to such directions as
the Government may issue from time to time in this regard shall be
final and binding.
(a)The applications for issuance of Eligibility Certificate and claims for
concessions and subsidies shall be submitted to the Assam Electronics
Development Corporation Ltd (AMTRON).
(b)The applications for issuance of Eligibility Certificate shall be made as
per prescribed format.
(c)Claims for concessions and subsidies shall be submitted as per
prescribed format.
(d)Separate guidelines for issuance of Eligibility Certificate & submission
of claims for incentives would be issued.
(e)Priority disbursement: The disbursement of the incentives by the implementing agency shall
be in accordance with the chronological order of approved claims. Priority
shall, however, be given 100% Export Oriented Units, units to be run by
women entrepreneurs who want to run units on proprietorial basis.
(f)lnterpretation: The decision of the Information Technology Department, Government
ofAssam, as regards interpretation in this Policy resolution/incentive
scheme,shall be final. The State Government reserves the right to
increase or decrease incentives or frame new guidelines, amend any
provision (s) including withdrawal of any of the incentives/subsidies
provided in this Policy.
(g)All completed applications for claiming incentives shall be disposed of
within a period not exceeding 45 (forty five) days by a Notified
Committee within AMTRON. Proceedings and Status regarding the
processing of the individual applications shall be published in the official
WebsITeS of IT Department, AMTRON and the Government of Assam
in relevant sections.
(a)The Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. (AMTRON) is
appointed as Nodal Agency for implementation of the IT Policy.
(b)lnformation Technology Policy Division (ITPD):
In order to provide various information and facilities to the IT industry
and to ensure proper delivery of all services, a separate Cell known as
Information Technology Policy Division (ITPD) shall be
created at the Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. The
primary objective of the ITPD shall be to provide adequate information
to the entrepreneurs, carry out implementation and monitoring of the
IT Policy, identification of projects and its implementation and also to
keep in touch with similar organizations on the line of IT within and out
side the State.
(c)Necessary fund for the purpose of concessions and subsidies shall be
provided by the IT Department toAMTRON from time to time.
(d)Functions of ITPD:
All administrative departments shall refer all issues related to
implementation of the Information Technology Policy to the ITPD andkeep apprised of all action taken in this regard. ITPD will perform the
functions as mentioned below:-
i.Ensure adequate publicity of the Information Technology Policy of
Assam as well as render all assistance to the entrepreneurs to
avail the benefit of the incentives.
ii.Identification of prospective entrepreneurs, building up of a data
bank to guide and motivate the entrepreneurs and also viable
project profiles in different categories in investment.
iii.Registration of IT Units and Enlistment of application and eligibility
certificate under the Policy. Coordination with the connected
agencies / administrative departments for implementation of the
IT Policy.
iv.Proper and effective implementation of all incentives and issuance
of sanctions thereof.
v.To refer all relevant issues to the Government or to the Committees
formed thereunder for any matter connected with implementation
of the Policy.
vi.To take up any other matter entrusted by the Government from
time to time.
(e)Procedures for issuing Eligibility Certificate:
The application for issuance of Eligibility Certificate shall be submitted
to the Assam Electronic Development Corporation Ltd. (AMTRON)
directly. The Government shall issue a separate notification on
constitution of a Committee entrusted with the powers of approval of
the proposals received. Subsidies and incentives under this Policy shall
be disbursed by AMTRON only on approval of the Committee so
constituted.
(a)An Information Technology Task Force (ITTF) of the State shall be
constituted under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister to review
the implementation of the Policy as per references given below:-
i.The Chief Minister of Assam, Chairman.
ii.The Minister, Information Technology, Assam, Vice-Chairman.
iii.The Chief Secretary, Govt. of Assam, Member.
iv.The commissioner & Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Information
Technology Department, Member Secretary & Convener.
v.The Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam, Education
Department, Member.
vi.The Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam, Finance
Department, Member.
vii.The Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam, Science
Technology Department, Member.
viii.The Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam, Planning
& Development Department, Member.
ix.The Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam, Industries
& Commerce Department, Member.
x.Four representatives from the IT industry to be nominated by the
Government, Member.
xi.The Director, IIT, Guwahati, Member.
xii.The Chief General Manager, BSNL, Assam Circle, Member.
xiii.The Director, STPI, Guwahati, Member.
xiv.Director & IG (P) Communications, Member.
xv.The Chairman, NEDFi, Member.
xvi.The Managing Director, AEDC Ltd, Co Convener.
(b)Chairman/Vice-Chairman may co-opt five expert(s) at most as members
of the Task Force.
(c)Functions of the Task Force:
i.To review the implementation of Information Technology Policy of
Assam, 2009 and to suggest for improvement in this regard to the
concerned departments from time to time.
ii.To advice the State Government for constitution of any sub-committee
or any study team for effective implementation of the Policy in the
larger interest of the State.
iii.To examine the problems faced during the implementation of the
Policy and suggest remedial measures to such issues.
iv.To discuss inter departmental co-ordination issues and to suggest
remedial measures.
v.To review and monitor development of infrastructure for IT Industry.
vi.The Committee shall meet as and when necessary but not less than
thrice in a year with the approval of the Chairman.
The State Government may constitute such other committees as
are required for implementation of the IT Policy from time to time.
The Government reserves the rights
to alter/amend/annul this Policy
in public interest. This Policy will be in force with immediate effect
and until further orders.
The North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (NEIIPP), 2007
was promulgated by the Government of India, Department of Industrial
Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry vide Gol
Notification No. 10(3)/2007- DBA-II/NER Dt. 01 -04.2007. The following
provisions, among others, of the said Policy will also be applicable to the
investors seeking benefits under this IT Policy:-
(a)Clause (v), (vi) and (vii), (viii) and (ix)
(b)Income Tax benefit under Section 80 IC of the Income Tax Act would
be extended to IT related training centers and IT hardware units.
(c)Wherever the incentives under the NEIIPP are available, the same
shall be made available to the investors in preference to the
provisions of this IT Policy. However, in cases where benefits under
both the policies are available, the State Government would provide
benefits under the NEIIPP.
The Industrial and Investment Policy of Assam, 2008 was
promulgated by the Government ofAssam, Department of Industries
and Commerce with effect from I st October, 2008. The following
provisions concerning the said Policy will be applicable to the
investors seeking benefits under this IT Policy:-
(a)No units shall be provided exemption under both the policies.
(b)Units which are eligible to get incentives under both the policies,
and are categorized as IT industry as per the provisions of this IT
Policy, shall be considered for sanction of incentives only under the
IT Policy.
(c)Provisions of Clause (b) above shall not apply to units already applied
for incentives under the Industrial and Investment Policy ofAssam,
2008.
The Government of India, Department of Commerce, Ministry of
Commerce and Industry have promulgated the Special Economic
Zones Act, 2005 (No. 28 of 2005).
The State Government may, in
course of time, strive to declare Electronic Hardware and Software
Parks established under this Policy to be deemed SEZs. However,
such a declaration would be subject to the Govt. of India approval,
and subject to the condition that Park intended to be declared SEZ
meets all other requirements of an SEZ as per the prevailing law of
the land at that point of time.
i.NORTH EAST INDUSTRIAL POLICY, 1997.
ii.INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY, 2000.
iii.Information Technology Act, 2000.
iv. ASSAM INDUSTRIALPOLICY, 2003.
v.The Assam VATAct, 2003.
vi.Assam Industries (Tax Remission) Scheme, 2005.
vii.Assam Industries (Tax Exemption for Pipeline Units) Order, 2005.
viii.SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONESACT, 2005
ix.NEllPP 2007
x.DIT, Govt. of India DO Letter No. 8(7)/2007-IPHW Dt. 11 th June, 2007
concerning the recommendations of the PMO's task Force with respect
to role of the State Governments to promote the growth of Electronics/
IT Hardware manufacturing industry.
xi.Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008.
xii.Industrial and Investment Policy ofAssam, 2008
ANNEXURE - I
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
For the purpose of this Policy, the following abbreviations and acronyms have
been used:
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