The State Government is aiming high. It has set its sight on generating revenue of Rs 24,000 crore from information communication technology (ICT) sector in next seven years to jump up the ladder and position itself along with Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The current software exports of the State stands at Rs 1,940 crore which puts it among the top 10 States in the country but the new draft of ICT Policy aims at bigger things. It targets to attract top 10 IT/ITES and top five electronic system design and manufacturing (ESDM) companies to the State by 2020 while raising its total ICT revenue, which includes exports of software, IT services, domestic consumption and training, to Rs 24,000 crore.
One of the major objectives is to create more infrastructure and built-up space for the IT companies. The policy looks at creation of 60 lakh sq ft built-up space and a 2000 acre land bank for the IT/ITES/ESDM sector.
The policy document also pronounces a series of measures to facilitate growth of the IT sector. It wants a single window mechanism for private sector to set up shop. Under the Odisha Industries (Facilitation) Act 2004, the sector will get a single window pre and post business facilitation service enabling the companies to obtain clearances in a time-bound manner. For hardware manufacturing companies, the Government will delegate powers of all its clearances to the Unit Approval Committee.
For clearance of the projects, the high level clearance authority (HLCA), headed by the Chief Minister, will examine the proposals with investments of Rs 1,000 crore and more. The State Level Single Window Clearance Authority, chaired by the Chief Secretary, will consider projects of Rs 50 crore to Rs 100 crore. For projects below Rs 50 crore, the District Single Window Clearance Authority will take the call.
A series of incentives has also been outlined in the policy. It proposes subsidy on rentals for incubation space for two years for units which will employ upto 40 people.
The subsidy ranges from 60 per cent to 80 per cent on different rental space. Similarly, lease rentals will also get subsidy.
The State Government, the draft policy says, will encourage use of built-up space instead of outright allotment of land. For this, a major share of total available space will be kept aside for outright sale to the IT companies.