Ap Exporters Unhappy With Handling Of It Policies

Though the Andhra Pradesh government promised to make Hyderabad the cyber capital of India, lack of sincerity on the part of concerned departments while implementing policies makes the state non-conducive for the IT industry's growth. This criticism comes from Hyderabad Software Exporters Association's newly-elected body.

The newly-elected secretary, A Mallikharjuna Rao, on Saturday came down heavily on the respective departments at a press conference here. Though the government sanctioned concessions and incentives covering 16 heads in May, 1999, only four of these are available to the industry, said Mallikharjuna Rao. Exemption from Pollution Control Act and sales tax were implemented in totality, whereas the government is yet to issue orders in case of exemption from zoning regulations and rebate on cost of land, he said.

 

The government agreed in principle to allow self-certification and exemption from the provisions of the Factories Act, Payment of Minimum Wages Act and Contract Labour Act but it is yet to issue instructions to the concerned departments. Hence, these departments continue to harass the companies, alleged Rao.

In two cases relating to power, though the concerned utility, Aptransco, issued orders, they have not been implemented so far despite efforts by the IT department and the Chief Minister's secretariat. The government promised to give 90 per cent rebate on stamp duty and land registration charges for units completed before April 2000. But this has not been implemented for the three units, namely Infotech Enterprises, Softsol India and Baan Infosystems.

These incentives are available only to units located in Hi-tech city and not for other units, according to Rao.