India in maintaining availability of a highly skilled labor force as well as ensuring adequate emphasis on R&D.

On the domestic front, excise duty exemption on packaged software is a positive. Budget is not just positive for the industry, it is clicking on the right buttons to help improve IT infrastructure in the country. It is heartening to see investment in key egovernance projects with an emphasis on important initiatives like unique ID programme.

Given the challenges, the overall budget appears positive with key announcements that would provide the much needed stimulus to the economy. As FM reiterated the government’s objective to bring back economic growth to 9% or more in the medium term, further acceleration in IT adoption in government can be expected. This will create opportunities for the industry and several jobs in the IT sector.

Indian is yet to make a big progress in terms of ICT adoption. Egovernance projects will go a long way in promoting the use of IT in the country. The government seems keen to transform society through world-class, pervasive ICT infrastructure to accelerate inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth. These will not only open new opportunities for the industry, but also create a real surge in the usage of IT, the need of the hour and critical to transforming the economy and society.

As told to FE