Govt intends to encourage IT enterprises: Narayanasamy

The Puducherry government today said it has drawn up plans to encourage Information Technology sector in the Union Territory under BOT (Build Operate and Transfer) system and that lands were already available to encourage enterprises.
"Our intention is to ensure that industrial entrepreneurs should have proper environ here. IT industries will be encouraged under BOT system. Land is already available to encourage enterprises," Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told reporters.
He said government was also interested in encouraging existing industries in all categories to stabilise themselves and would take steps to bring back industries that had moved out of Puducherry in the past.

Narayanasamy said the Union Territory was now deprived of any share in the Centrally mobilised revenue here like Central Excise and Customs duty as Puducherry was not included as a constituent of Central Finance Commission.
He said Karaikal port had paid as much as Rs 2,100 crore to the Central kitty in the last five years under central excise and custom duties.
"But Puducherry government had netted only Rs 63 crore under sales tax and user charge", Narayanasamy said.

He said if Puducherry became part of the Central Finance Commission, the UT would be entitled to get bigger share.
Narayanasamy said he had made out a strong case at the recent all India Finance Ministers conference that Puducherry be taken care of adequately in the event of the Goods and Services Act being brought into force.

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Narayanasamy said Telecom operator Reliance JIO has agreed to provide free WIFI 4Ghi speed services to those taking morning stroll along the beach and tourists.
He said company officials had met him and told him they would provide free high speed WIFI services to the morning walkers, tourists and also students in government colleges. The company would bear the entire cost and there would be no commitment for Puducherry administration on any count.
He said he had requested Reliance JIO to ensure that the facility was available to traders and the business community in the key shopping centres.

"This facility if introduced, will be of help for the merchant community and the shopping public' he said.