From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Apr 28: In view of the global pandemic Covid 19, Centre has given permission for IT professionals to work from home (WFH) till July 31.
Union Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Ravi Shankar Prasad has informed the decision to all State IT Ministers during the video conference to discuss problems of the IT sector due to lockdown on Tuesday.
Responding to a suggestion made by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan to extend the permission to WFH up to March 31, 2021, the Union Minister permitted the WFH up to July this year.
The Union Minister, however, has assured that the Centre will review the situation and take decision after July.
Dr Ashwath Narayan explained problems faced by the IT sector post Covid 19 lockdown and the solutions found besides steps taken by the State government.
The Union Minister also agreed to a suggestion to hold a separate Video Conference with the IT honchos soon to understand the problems of their sector.
Ravi Shankar Prasad announced to set up a national level strategy committee to prepare detailed guidelines, solutions in a pandemic situation like Covid 19.
In view of the change in the working conditions after the lockdown, the Union Minister said that steps would be taken to strengthen the Bharat Net to provide better internet facilities.
"Not just the IT sector, all States should give importance to develop startups and research. Focus will be on providing effective E governance and E passes. The working of almost all sectors after Covid 19 has changed. Nearly 80 per cent professionals are working from home. Almost all works are done through online. To help this, internet services will be strengthened through Bharat Net,'' Prasad said.
Ravi Shankar Prasad said that this is the right opportunity to implement the Make in India.
Stress should be given on Make in India to revive the economy. Though we have been successful to an extent in this, there is a need to give more thrust on make in India in the coming days.
Number of mobile companies have increased from two to 268 after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. This is a good example of Make in India, the Union Minister said.
He appreciated the online health services of Karnataka and said that there is an improvement in online services after the pandemic breakout.
"Online health services have improved after Covid 19. All States should also improve on this front,'' he said.
Dr Ashwath Narayan explained how the State government has been successful in using technology to provide education and other essential services.
More than 500 professionals, are working at call centre `Aptamitra Helpline.'
On an average every day, they receive at least 50,000 calls from various sections of people and responding to their needs. As an alternative to e commerce, Aptamitra helpline provides all essentials including groceries, medicines to people's doorsteps in red zones, he explained.