Union Minister of Human Resource Development and Communication and IT Kapil Sibal on Monday approved the setting up of an incubation centre at Amritsar and an electronics manufacturing cluster at Ropar. The demands had been raised by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal during the laying of the foundation stone of the incubation centre of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), says an Indian Express reoprt.
The Punjab government has allotted one acre of land in Sector 75, Industrial Area for setting up the incubation centre, while the Central government would provide Rs 55 crore as funds for its construction. The incubation centre will generate employment opportunities and promote entrepreneurs.
Addressing the gathering, Sibal said that the government had approved a scheme for the creation of the National Fibre Optic Network that would provide connectivity to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats. For the purpose an amount of Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated. The project would facilitate in providing governance, banking and health services online. Paying of electricity bills, taxes among other public services would be available online.
Sibal said that Punjab had promised to give right of way for installation of the Optical Fibre Network. Other states including UP and Jharkhand have also given their consent. Only West Bengal wants to lay its own network.
