'Semi-urban centres are IT growth drivers'

India's semi-urban and rural markets offer great potential for the information technology sector, but availability of IT products and services, connectivity and training has to be strengthened, said experts from the sector in a round table discussion hosted by Oracle India.

Representatives from Oracle India, Intel India and Pune-based Finolex Industries were expressing opinion in a session on "Future of Technology in India's non-metro cities," on the rising use of IT in rural administration and commerce.

Amar Babu, managing director (sales and marketing), Intel India, said, "Category B and C cities are now the growth drivers of revenue. There is a lot of technology adaptation taking place at this level."

The reason, according to him, is "the availability of comprehensive solutions and technology, finanacing options and the internet which acts as a great leveller and an enabler as well."

Babu added, "Learning centres, home PCs for citizens, broadband access, e-commerce training and government sponsored kiosks are increasingly becoming a primary source of information in rural India."

"E-governance is high on government agenda," said Krishnan Dhawan, managing director, Oracle India. He said, "The government is making rapid strides in e-governanace. There are already a number of projects for facilitating online bills and receipts for water, electricity, telephone, birth and death certificates, land ownership records."

"Besides e-governance, the deployment and benefits of IT is also seen in the manufacturing, engineering and agriculture," said Dhawan.

Dileep Dandekar, general manager (IT), Finolex Industries, explained the experiment his company was making to involve farmers from the remotest parts of the country.

"The company has deployed an online commerce portal to facilitate ordering of PVC pipes on the internet and make transactions simpler for farmers."