Kerala government announces liberalised draft IT policy with aim to promote private parks

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government has unveiled a draft of its new IT policy. It aims to create a conducive environment for the sector's growth, with the ultimate goal of generating five lakh jobs within the next five years.

One of the key features of this policy is the provision of leasing space to companies on government land and offering incentives for startups on private land. The policy introduces the concept of land pooling in the industrial sector. 

To facilitate the establishment of IT enterprises in private land, the government pledges to provide essential infrastructure, including roads, compound walls, water supply, and electricity. The government shoulders the financial burden of these infrastructural necessities while the land remains privately owned, ensuring a seamless setup process for entrepreneurs.

Moreover, the policy encourages the collaboration of multiple landowners, promoting the collective leasing of land for IT parks.

The draft policy is designed to support all authorised IT spaces, both within and outside designated parks. Businesses operating within these spaces are eligible for a wide array of government benefits. The policy promises to streamline bureaucratic procedures through a single window system, offer marketing support, and provide tax exemptions, among other benefits.

Furthermore, the policy emphasises the crucial role of education and human resource development in the digital age. It envisions collaboration with institutions like Kerala Digital University, International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS), ICT Academy of Kerala, and Kerala Infrastructure & Technology for Education (KITE) to align human resources with the demands of the evolving IT landscape.