NEWS: Haryana signs MoU with Microsoft to computerize govt. departments

[Frederick Noronha <fred@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Wonder if they persued any other options? -FN

Haryana signs MoU with Microsoft to computerize govt. departments
by Akhil Gautam, India Abroad News Service

Chandigarh, Nov 10 - The Haryana government Friday signed a memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft Corporation for computerization of
government departments and building skilled technical resources.

The MoU was signed between Haryana State Electronic Development Corporation
(HARTRON) managing director K.K. Khandelwal and Microsoft Corporation
(India) president Rajiv Nair in the presence of Haryana Chief Minister Om
Parkash Chautala at New Delhi.

Speaking on the occasion, Chautala said his government's main thrust was
rural development and a number of effective steps were being taken to
accelerate the pace of development. He said applications in the IT sector
were being adopted to cater to the needs of the rural sector.

Haryana is the second state in north India to sign a MoU with Microsoft.
Centrally administered Chandigarh had entered into a similar agreement in
October. Discussions are also on between the Punjab government and Microsoft
officials.

Chautala said his government was determined to eradicate corruption in the
state. He said e-governance had been introduced not only to eradicate
corruption but also to make government agencies transparent and efficient.

A government spokesman said the agreement would be valid for one year.
HARTRON would actively consult, develop and execute systems integration
projects largely on Microsoft technology. He added that the MoU was the
result of the meeting between Chautala and Microsoft chief Bill Gates in New
Delhi.

The spokesman said HARTRON would create a local pool of Microsoft certified
professionals, Microsoft certified systems engineers and Microsoft certified
solution developers. The government agency would also incorporate relevant
Microsoft products as part of its internal training services.

Microsoft would conduct regular training programs for the core team on its
new technologies and products. The spokesman said Microsoft would arrange
four trained personnel to work with a HARTRON team and enhance their skills
on Microsoft technology.

Microsoft would also provide assistance to HARTRON to set up a center of
technical education at one of its educational outlets. This center would be
used to develop skills on Microsoft technologies. It would have six labs
with a maximum of 12 computers each.