Govt to set up electronic dev fund for IT sector

Centre also mulls sops for setting up 200 electronic mfg clusters, industry tie-ups with defence, atomic energy sectors

The government today said it has proposed setting up an electronic development fund to promote research and development activities in the IT sector.

"Under the draft National Policy on Electronics 2011, an Electronic Development Fund has been proposed to promote innovation and research and development (R&D) in the IT sector by providing appropriate funding or incentives to industry and R&D institutions," Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot informed the Lok Sabha.

The draft policy also proposes providing incentives for setting up of over 200 Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs). The support is extended to greenfield or new EMCs and upgradation of brownfield EMCs.

The policy also aims at creating long-term partnerships between electronics design and manufacturing (ESDM) industry and strategic sectors like defence, space, atomic energy etc.

It would also work towards creating a complete secure cyber eco-system in the strategic use of electronics.

The policy aimed at enhancing the availability of skilled manpower -- in scale and scope -- including in emerging technology areas, by active participation of the private sector.