Kerala to lease out land to private IT developers

Chennai: A departure from developer of information technology (IT) infrastructure to lessor model and focus on spreading e-governance activities across the state are going to be the major feature of Kerala government's proposed IT policy to be announced soon, said a top government official.

"Instead of building infrastructure we have decided to let out the land on long lease for infrastructure developers who will build the space needed for IT companies. The government would lease out the land for 90 years at a fixed rate," PH Kurian, principal secretary, Department of IT and Public Works Department, told IANS here Monday.

He was in Chennai as part of the official delegation holding the road show for Kerala's mega investment meet 'Emerging Kerala' slated September 12-14 in Kochi.

The advantage of this policy is that private developers will not only build infrastructure but will also bring in companies.

According to Kurian, the government has around 600 acres and another 400 acres in public-private development mode.

"Our rate will be much lower than what other states are offering," Kurian added.

The advantage of this policy is that private developers will not only build infrastructure but will also bring in companies.

Kurian said land for commercial space in IT parks would also be leased out similarly for developers to build malls, multiplexes and other amenities.

"The state has been building infrastructure and marketing the space till now. We can do that only up to a certain limit. With the new way, we hope to see more IT investments coming to Kerala," Kurian said.

He said the government would bid out land under the proposed policy for mall and multiplex in Technopark Phase 3.

According to him, the state is targeting multi-national companies (MNC) operating in the advanced technology arena to locate their Indian centres in Kerala.

He said Kerala is not experiencing any slowdown in IT investments.

On the e-governance front, Kurian said that the state would bring three more districts under the e-district project next month and all 14 districts by the end of this fiscal.

Currently, Palakkad and Kannur are the two districts covered under the project where various services are offered online to people.

"Mallapuram, Pathanamthitta and Kottaym districts would be added next month," Kurian said.

According to him, Kerala will also offer services linked to the Aadhaar/Unique Identification Card online.

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