INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Recognising the vast potential of IT industry in the State, the Government of Manipur accords high priority to the Electronics and Information Technology sector as a major thrust area of development. A special package of incentives is provided to facilitate competitive growth of the sector.

Manipur has vibrant manpower potential ideally suited for electronics and IT based industries in view of the unpolluted and eco-friendly environment conditions and ever-growing qualitative work force.

The Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. has been established as a public sector undertaking to fill up the gaps for development of electronics including information technology based industries in the State.

The Centre for Electronics Design and Technology of India (CEDTI) at Imphal caters to the entire North-East India. This Centre has been imparting training to all the prospective youth and officials of the State Government and other organizations from Manipur and the Region. 

The Government College of Technology at Imphal provides computer education up to the graduation level. A Masters course in computer applications is also imparted in the Manipur University. There are also a number of private institutions in the State providing IT education, like NIIT, APTECH, LCC etc. Computer education has been introduced in the school and college curriculums.

Community Information Centres with computers connected to the Internet via VSAT systems are being set up in every Block of the State and 33 nos. CICs will be operational shortly. Such centres not only act as a point from where the local public can avail of any kind of information, but also as a training centres in the use of computers and the Internet. Work is underway to increase utility of these centres by incorporating Government to Citizen interfaces and Web content of local relevance. 

The State Government of Manipur is at the final stage to adopt an IT Policy. Some of the objectives are :-

To set up the institutional framework to implement and monitor the policy.

To use E-Governance to upgrade the standard and quality of administration and to provide citizen-oriented, efficient and cost-effective government.

To promote investments and growth in IT industry, and encourage private sector initiative in IT related infrastructure and services, so as to increase the contribution of IT in the economic growth of the State.

1. To provide adequate infrastructure so that the IT sector can flourish.
2. To encourage percolation of IT literacy and education in the State.
3. To generate IT related employment opportunities for the educated youth.

Some IT areas where private participation is encouraged

1. Setting up of an IT Park.
2. Setting up of IT Enable Service Centres such as Call Centres etc.
3. Development of a backbone network "Manipur State Wide Area Network" (MANNET) for voice, data and video transmission and dissemination.
4. Issue of multi-function Electronic SMART cards to citizens.
5. IT literacy programme in schools and colleges.
6. To create infrastructure throughout the State for promotion of distance learning through IT.
7. Setting up of Information Kiosks.
8. Internet over Cable and other new technologies for internet penetration.

Telecom infrastructure in Manipur

1. Independent Satellite link with Delhi and Shillong
2. Micro-wave link with Kohima and beyond 
3. 40 Digital Exchanges
4. Internet C-II Net Working at Imphal with 810 connections to all District HQs.

 IT manpower in Manipur

1. 240 MCA, 320 PGDCA, 400 Certificate Course in Computer Application from M.U.
2. 62 ‘O’ Level, 9 ‘A’ Level, 742 Hardware/Software from CEDTI
3. 8800 trained personnel from APTEC, NIIT, and other Private Institutions