Kerala IT policy 2017 focus on creating 2.5 lakh jobs

Policy presented by CM Pinarayi Vijayan in the assembly outlined the state's vision

The draft IT policy-2017 announced on Wednesday by the Kerala government aims to create one crore square feet of office space to provide employment directly or indirectly to 2.5 lakh people in the coming years.

The policy presented by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the assembly outlined the state's vision to tap resources of the co-operative sector and diaspora from Kerala to develop IT parks.

Vijayan said government policy was to make use of digital technology for an overall development of State and to ensure quick and efficient delivery of all essential services to bridge the digital divide.

Vision document said one crore square feet office space would be developed with an objective of providing employment directly or indirectly to 2.5 lakh people.

Vijayan said more than 90 per cent of the state's population has been enrolled in the Aadhaar card programmes.

"In this context, government intends to implement the Know Your Customer (KYC) facility through Aadhaar based biometric system", he said.

The policy document said the objective was to make the state 100 per cent e-literate and utilise ICT in all walks of life to ensure the equitable and inclusive development of society.

The Document proposed to redefine the role of IT parks to fit the new model of IT assets and Commercial agencies of the state.

It also wanted to consolidate activities of all IT parks (Techno park, info park and Cyber park) shall be under the single brand 'Kerala IT '.

The document also wants to constitute a Kerala Digital Advisory Board to implement the IT initiatives in the state on a time bound basis.