Information and Communication Technology in Bangaru Telangana

Source: The Hans India 30.6.2016

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT industry in Telangana State consists of Business Processing Organisations and Knowledge Processing Organizations, providing professional services across the globe. State’s ICT services is mainly oriented towards foreign markets and contributes largely to India’s IT exports. Over a period of time, Hyderabad has become a premier global destination for IT and ITeS industry of India, next only to Bengaluru. 
The IT industry in the State has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. There are 1,300 IT units employing about 3.7 lakh professionals in the State, with an annual export turnover of Rs. 68,258 crore in 2014-15. About 89 new units were established during 2014-15.

Table : Performance of IT Industry in 2014-15

S. No.	Description	Total
1	Total number IT units in the State	1300
2	New units registered during 2014-15	89
3	Total Employees engaged	3,71,774
4	Exports earnings from IT (in Rs. crore)	68,258

Source: Department of Information Technology, Electronics, and Communications, Government of Telangana.

The State Government has taken proactive initiatives to create state-of-the-art physical infrastructure for the growth of the Sector. However, in the wake of global economic slowdown, resulting in weak global demand for software exports, companies have adopted various methods  such as diversification of market base towards emerging and developing countries, product diversification and cost reduction etc.

Major Initiatives to boost ICT Sector: 

The State Government with an objective to provide a congenial environment to services producing companies to start and grow their business, has initiated policy initiatives in this direction, some of them are mentioned below: 

T-HUB: T-Hub was launched on November 5, 2015 as a unique public/private partnership between the Government of Telangana, three of India’s premier academic institutes (IIIT-H, ISB & NALSAR) and key private sector leaders. T-Hub aims to be the catalyst in building Hyderabad as a start-up city and Telangana, as a start-up State. 

T-Hub located in the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) campus, in Gachibowli, Hyderabad dedicated solely to entrepreneurship. An overwhelming number of startups registered to be a part of the T-Hub community. Extending to various fields like agri-tech, life sciences, financial technology, smart cities, IoT, clean technology etc, the startup community in Hyderabad has shown their interest in being a part of T-Hub. Within a short span of time, over 900 applications were received by the T-Hub team from startups across the country. T-Hub aims to become the largest innovation ecosystems in the country and eventually globally. The project aims to build upon Hyderabad's natural strengths in IT & entrepreneurship and intends to nurture a vibrant innovation ecosystem by providing all the requisite support to unleash the latent entrepreneurial spirit amongst the new-age youth, thereby driving job growth and wealth creation.

Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) at Hyderabad: 

Government of India has cleared Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR), Hyderabad. As per the Draft Project Report (DPR), ITIR would export IT products worth Rs. 2,35,000 crore with additional direct employment to 15 lakh people and indirect employment to 53 lakh people. This is expected to generate about Rs. 30,170 crore additional tax revenues to the State Government. 

IMAGE Incubation Centre: 

Gaming and animation sector has a potential of over US $42 Billion worldwide and about $ 1 Billion in India. Hyderabad region has been identified as one of the potential places for the growth of gaming and animation industry due to the presence of a vibrant industry and talented IT professional workforce. Hyderabad has a number of Gaming & Animation companies working at present and the region has potential to grow if right kind of infrastructure is made available. Keeping in view the potential of this sector, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), in association with the State Government developed a state of the art incubation facility “IMAGE” at STPI complex, Hyderabad. This incubation facility is specially designed to support the SMEs working in gaming, animation, multi-media and entertainment industry.

Promotion of Tier-II/ III IT Locations: 

Warangal town has been identified as Tier-II IT hub with suitable infrastructure facilities to IT companies to start their operations through TSIIC. 

New Policy framework for ICT, Animation & Gaming and Electronic Hardware: 

New policy framework for ICT, Animation & Gaming and Electronic hardware is being prepared by the State Government and expected to be announced shortly.  

Telangana Academy for Skill & Knowledge (TASK): 

Telangana Academy for Skill & Knowledge (TASK) is non-profit organizations created by Government of Telangana for bringing synergy among institutions of government, industry and academia with an objective of offering quality human resources and services to the industry and enhance the employability quotient of youth in the State. 

Many new course models are being offered by reputed educational institutions under the TASK programme for enhancing the skills of students to meet the requirements of the industry.

G.Rajendera Kumar