Ø Continuity with blend of experience and youth instills new hope and confidence
New Delhi, June 1, 2009: The Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology, MAIT, the apex body representing the interest of the IT hardware industry in India, congratulates the UPA government on their historic win. Welcoming Mr A Raja, in yet another innings, as the Union Minister for Communications & IT, Mr Vinnie Mehta, Executive Director, MAIT said, "We are confident that continuity with Mr. A Raja and the further strengthening of his team with Mr Sachin Pilot and Mr Gurudas Kamat would ensure concrete steps towards realization of 'Goal- 511' set by him in his earlier term. This goal envisages transformation of India into a knowledge economy and connecting the unconnected - 500 million Internet users, 100 million broadband connections and 100 million connected devices in India by 2012. Further, as India rapidly becomes attractive for IT and electronics manufacturing, we look forward to his leadership in making India as one of the Top 5 electronics manufacturing nations of the world."
Mr Mehta further added, " With lower than expected sales of IT products in the financial year 2008-09 owing to the global economic meltdown, expectations in the IT industry are high that the new minister will take adequate measures to boost the consumption of IT in the domestic market. Proliferation of broadband is yet another area that needs immediate attention and we hope issues related to this will be resolved soon. It is a known fact that nations with higher broadband penetration enjoy higher GDP growth."
Elaborating further on the industry expectations, Mr Mehta said, "It is essential to roll out mission mode IT projects in sectors such as education, SMEs, households, e-governance, telemedicine and for rural India. These will go a long way in contributing to our national goal of 'inclusive development'."
"MAIT also welcomes Mr Sachin Pilot and Mr Gurudas Kamat, the two new Ministers of State for Communications and IT bringing in a healthy blend of youth and freshness with experience. We are sure that the two new ministers will provide exemplary leadership and significantly contribute towards India emerging as the nodal knowledge hub of the world.
We are also glad that Mr R Chandrasekhar has now been elevated to Secretary,
Department of IT, Ministry of communications & IT. He was earlier the Special
Secretary in the department and brings with him a wealth of experience and
knowledge, especially in the area of e-governance. We look forward to his
leading the department from the front and providing directions to the industry
at this critical juncture.," added Mr Mehta.
About MAIT:
Set up in 1982 for purposes of scientific, educational and IT industry promotion, MAIT has emerged as an effective, influential and dynamic organisation. Today MAIT represents hardware manufacturers & vendors, training, R&D and associated services sectors of the Indian IT Industry. MAIT’s charter is to develop a globally competitive Indian IT Industry, promote the usage of IT in India, strengthen the role of IT in national economic development and promote business through international alliances.