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Bengal

IT policy looks to transform Bengal into tech-proficient welfare society

Kolkata: The Information Technology (IT) policy of the Mamata Banerjee government is aimed at transforming Bengal into a knowledge driven, technologically enabled welfare society, with extensive use of IT for increasing employment opportunities and promoting the state as a preferred investment destination.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had formally unveiled the IT policy of the state government on Monday, from the venue of the foundation stone laying ceremony of Silicon Valley IT hub at New Town, which was made available on the website of the state IT&E department on Tuesday.

"Our emphasis will be on harnessing emerging technologies to be amongst the top global performers in IT and to spread relevant skillsets in expanding the workplace to areas such as digital marketing, 3D printing, animation, gaming, data analysis, big data and contributing to the electronic value chain. We will forge partnerships for promoting emerging technologies and PPP will be encouraged," a senior official of the state IT department said.

In a significant step to attract the IT companies in the state, the IT department will offer specific fiscal incentives that include 50 percent waiver of property tax for a period of 12 years (as per section 102B of West Bengal Municipal Act 1993) and extra 15 percent Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for IT buildings.

"The Incentive Policies offered by the state department of Commerce and Industry and MSME department will be followed mutatis mutandis," the official maintained.

The fiscal incentives assume significance with the Mamata Banerjee government averse to special economic zone (SEZ) status for land to the IT players.

"There will be an innovation platform to highlight the achievement of local companies and their cutting-edge research in the field of IT&E will be recognised. We are also coming up with a Centre for Innovation at Bantala, known as Sector VI in the administrative parlance," the official added.

The government is already focusing on creating clusters and hubs on analytics, fintech, animation, hardware etc.

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