No threat of job losses in IT sector : Ravi Shankar

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) on June 16, 2017,  organized a high-level consultation with the industry leaders from IT and ITeS sector with focus on digital financial services and e-commerce. The consultation was conducted for developing the roadmap for One Trillion Dollar Digital Economy in India.

The meeting was chaired by Ravi Shankar Prasad,  Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice. The industry was represented by leading corporate houses and industry associations like Infosys, IBM, Wipro, Google, Microsoft, Mahindra Tech, Intel Corporation, Panasonic India, NIIT, Quickheal, Practo, Hike, Lava International Ltd, Cyient Ltd, IVCA, NPCI, NASSCOM and IAMAI, according to a PIB release.

The industry leaders welcome the present initiative of the government and asserted that an effective partnership between government and the private sector is the key for creating One Trillion $ Digital Economy in India. Better dispute resolution mechanisms for PPP projects, promoting emerging technologies like cloud, big data, GIS, AI etc through industry collaboration, strengthening the legal framework for data security were some of the key areas where government needs to take reform measures for implementing the roadmap.

Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “India is well set to become US$ 1 Trillion Digital Economy in next 7 years and it rather looks an easy target, however, the challenge would be to reach this target in 3-4 years. I appeal to the industry to join hands with the Government which firmly believes in openness, supportive and proactive approach. India is committed to take lead in the ongoing digital revolution in the world and I would appreciate industry’s participation and support in this mission. Through such discussion, we aim to seek contribution and participation of the private sector as we stride forward to make India a truly global Digital economy.” 

“The motto of the Government led by PM Narendra Modi is to reform, perform and transform. Digital India is enabling technological empowerment that is bridging the gap between haves and have nots. India’s digital story is the story of a low-cost world class technology that is being hailed across the globe. I am very proud of the Indian IT Sector and I strongly believe that IT, ITeS, Ecommerce and financial services sectors will play a vital role to realize our aspirations of becoming a US$1 trillion digital economy. The trinity of JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile) and Digital Payment (DigiDhan) would also prove to be the biggest drivers of digital economy in the country,” Prasad added, according to a PIB release

Prasad also announced that the government will come out with new electronic and software product policy and a framework for data security and protection policy. Additionally, a GST Cell would be set up in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. He further said that there is no threat of job losses in the IT Sector. The Government as well as the industry remain upbeat about the IT Sector, as over 6 lakhs of IT jobs were created in last 3 years, he said, according to the PIB release.