In an exclusive interview with Dataquest, the Bihar IT minister talks about his vision, and his governments efforts to make Bihar a favorite IT destination

What is the status of the new IT policy of Bihar?
The draft IT Policy 2008 is ready and has been put on the Bihar Government website for inviting suggestions and comments. I think we should be ready with the final Policy in the next month. In the coming two years, Bihar will make significant progress in IT and earn its own place.

Which IT companies have you invited for setting up businesses in Bihar?
We have not invited any IT company to come to Bihar till now as our first priority after coming to power was to create an atmosphere which would be conducive for companies to consider setting up their facilities in Bihar. The change that has taken place in Bihar is refreshing, and the environment has also improved. Things are progressing under the guidance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar; the law and order situation has improved tremendously, and the fear factor has disappeared.

Dr Anil Kumar, IT Minister, Govt of Bihar

What are you doing to woo IT companies to invest in Bihar?
We are going to host a large scale seminar in Bihar in September. And will invite the leading IT companies to consider investing in Bihar, as we think this is the right time for it. We have seen a flight of talent from Bihar to all sectors of the industry including IT in a big way. When we have the talent, why dont we do something which will help them stay and work in Bihar, and contribute towards its development. I am very happy that TCS is doing some good work in Bihar in terms of implementing some of our e-governance projects, and helping out with the setting up of our BSWAN.

I hope other companies will follow suit and consider investing in Bihar. We started the Software Technology Park in Patna. But we dont want to restrict this to Patna. We invite private sector companies to set up their own IT parks in Bihar. In fact, we are looking at places like Bihta, where an IIT is being setup, apart from Fatuha. An interesting part of Bihar is that, farmers are willing to give away their lands for the development of IT so there is no question of a Nandigram-like situation developing here. They also want to see Bihar developing.

Power and road infrastructure are areas of concern. What are you doing for their improvement?
We lost most of the power plants after Jharkhand got separated from Bihar. But we have not looked back since then and the situation is improving by day. We have revived power plants like Barauni, and the road construction is being done at a brisk pace.

What is the status on improving the engineering educational infrastructure in Bihar?
We set up BIT Meshra in Patna, and an IIT has also been announced. We have also taken over three private colleges located in Gaya, Motihari, and Darbhanga, which were in bad shape, and now have been converted into state level engineering colleges. They will become operational from this session. The total number now stands at five. We have also started a technical college for women in Darbhanga, and have plans for Nalanda and Madhepura. Also, we are inviting private colleges to set up their institutions in the state.

Sudesh Prasad
sudeshp@cybermedia.co.in

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