With IT being perceived as the biggest foreign exchange earner for the country, the infotech industry has been pressing for a separate ministry. A host of information technology-related laws and recommendations of the IT task force are also pending clearance.

High on the government's agenda will be a decision on passing a Bill on cyber laws and also notifying the hardware report prepared by the IT task force.

The outgoing government had demonstrated that it was IT-industry friendly with the Prime Minister taking the lead in this respect by appointing an IT task force under the stewardship of Jaswant Singh.

Sources in government said there was serious thinking to set up a separate ministry to ensure continuity to the good work done and expedite the process. "The new government would do well to leverage the goodwill earned and facilitate the passing of the various Bills and recommendations by setting up a separate ministry," sources added.

The hardware report has been cleared by the Cabinet and is awaiting government notification. Implementation of the hardware report will be high on the government's agenda. The Bill on cyber laws, drafted by the Department of Electronics, is waiting passage through Parliament. The Bill assumes added significance in view of the internet business taking off in the country.

"The future of e-commerce in the country hangs in balance on the fate of the Bill," said a senior government official.

The IT industry is, however, not unduly worried whether the government sets up separate ministry or not as long as the policy and legal framework are put in place at the earliest. According to Nasscom president Dewang Mehta, the industry is convinced about government's commitment to IT.