Council for Digital Governance constituted to attract IT investment: CM

Himachal Pradesh has potential and opportunities in the field of Information Technology (IT). State government is committed to support and facilitate the development of semiconductor industry in the state. Future action plans would be prepared on identification of major points of state in terms of infrastructure, human resources, policy framework and market demand.

While highlighting the promotion of semiconductor industry in the state, Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that discussions were in process on exploring the possibilities of collaboration and partnership among different stakeholders to leverage their expertise and resources. State government has constituted a Chief Minister Council for Digital Governance which also has a mandate to attract IT investment in the state.

He said that a committee to frame the vision, policy and strategy for the promotion of semiconductor industry in Himachal Pradesh will be constituted soon. Establishment of strong linkages with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA), India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) and other relevant organizations at the National and International level will be focused. Initiating exchange programs with top academic institutions for training and exposure to aspiring students of State. Emphasis will be laid to seek advice and support from the people of Himachal residing in other states and abroad who are working or have expertise in semiconductor industry or related matters, he added.

The state is focusing on manufacturing of sensors, semiconductor packaging and design rather than manufacturing of core semiconductor chips. It can also focus on digital technologies and services that can complement the semiconductor industry. The faculty in the technical institutions in the state can acquire technical knowledge for which the technical education department can get in touch with Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs) and Indian Institute of Technologies ( IITs) under different schemes of the GoI, he added.

Secretary IT, Dr. Abhishek Jain also informed that various aspects of setting up of semiconductor industries or related matters including research, labs, R&D, public and private institutions and also the availing of Government of India benefits under relevant schemes were being considered.

Sh. Jain informed  that a meeting was also held recently in this regard with senior officers from IIT Delhi, IIT Ropar, Tata Electronics, Silicon Power Corporation USA, to  pave the way for further dialogue and action in this direction.