Putting an end to the controversy over the control of State Data Centre the Information Technology Ministry has decided to hand it over to the State Government-undertaking, Keltron.
During the previous LDF regime, the functioning of the State Data Centre was given to Reliance Group, inviting criticism from several quarters. The then Opposition Leader Oommen Chandy too had demanded a probe into the deal to take over the public sector Data Centre. IT Department on Friday signed an MOU with Keltron for the maintenance and running of the Data Centre. Sources in the IT Department said that Keltron was well equipped to run the Centre.
The decision not to invite tenders was taken following the earlier controversy that the data of the government would be used by private parties for their business interest. Now the proposal of Keltron was accepted by the government and orders issued.
Keltron managing director Prasanna Kumar said that the maintenance of hardwares and upgradation would be carried out by Keltron.
Those hardwares which have to be replaced will be undertaken.
He said that the request for the maintenance was given for three years. Earlier, when the tender was floated TCL and HCL were shortlisted and later it was cancelled.
There were allegations that the tender conditions were diluted later in favour of Reliance.