Madhya Pradesh is positioning itself as a key player in India’s tech and investment sectors, blending its rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge innovation. Shri Sanjay Dubey, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of IT, Science & Technology, Government of Madhya Pradesh, in an exclusive conversation with Puja Banerjee, Senior Assistant Editor at Elets News Network (ENN), delves into the state’s strategic initiatives for promoting investments, its emergence as a prominent IT and ITES hub, and the transformative role of technologies like AI in enhancing governance.
Edited excerpts:
What are the key initiatives of the Government of Madhya Pradesh to promote investments in the state?
It’s not about a single policy addressing all industries. We have identified different sectors and tailored incentives based on their specific needs. For industries, we provide rebates on power, land availability, CAPEX subsidies, and SGST reimbursements. This is applicable to all industries that wish to establish themselves in the state.
In tourism, we offer additional benefits. For example, if there’s a heritage property, we promote it as a heritage tourist spot by setting a low base price of INR 5 lakh, allowing for competitive bidding.
We have separate incentives for IT and ITES. The IT sector has its own set of benefits, with further breakdowns for the ESDM (Electronics System Design and Manufacturing) industry, data centres, and other components. Our approach is to have multiple policies, each tailored to specific industries.
What are the key initiatives by the Department of Science and Technology for promoting investments?
We have a dedicated IT policy that recognises sectors like ESDM, data centres, and developers, each with specific incentives. A dedicated policy also supports Global Capability Centers (GCC). Furthermore, we’re discussing a policy for the semiconductor industry. Our AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) policy is currently open for public consultation.
Additionally, we are working on policies for emerging sectors like drone-as-a-service. The overarching goal is to target industries where applications of IT, artificial intelligence, and process improvements can drive growth. Madhya Pradesh offers an environment with a multicultural society, making it appealing for people from across the country to invest and settle here.
How is Madhya Pradesh emerging as an IT and ITES hub, and what advantages do tier-2 cities like Indore offer compared to large metropolitan cities?
Indore offers significant advantages in terms of lower cost of living, less pollution, and a lower attrition rate compared to bigger cities. It is also home to some of the country’s best educational institutions, such as IIT and IIM, along with centres for astrophysics, nuclear power, and ISRO. These institutions provide a rich pool of skilled manpower.
Indore has become a hub for IT companies, and the presence of large IT players has created a highly mobile and skilled workforce. Connectivity is also a strong point, as one can travel anywhere in the country from Indore within 7-8 hours, making it convenient for professionals and students alike. This balance of cost-effectiveness, good work-life balance, and access to talent makes Indore a highly attractive location for IT and ITES industries.
Could you elaborate on the key utility of the State Data Centre (SDC)?
We deliberately chose to house our data in-state rather than outsourcing it to offshore locations. The Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation developed the State Data Centre to control and manage all government operations data. This allows us to ensure the privacy and proper utilisation of data.
We recently upgraded the data centre’s capacity and plan to augment it further in the future. We are also considering collaborations with private agencies to manage the centre while maintaining full control over the data. This hybrid model allows us to leverage technological expertise without compromising on data privacy.
How are the Department of Science and Technology and MPSEDC supporting e-governance initiatives?
We are probably the only state using GIS technology in agriculture insurance. Another unique initiative is our “Cyber Tehsil,” a faceless revenue administration system where people can apply for revenue orders online without visiting government offices.
We have also introduced the Samagra ID, a unique citizen identity linked to family records. This ID consolidates a citizen’s eligibility for various government programs, making it easier to access services. The system is EKYC-enabled through Aadhaar, though the Aadhaar number itself isn’t shared, ensuring privacy.
Our government communication, including annual performance appraisals, is conducted entirely online. We have developed systems to digitise processes and archive documents efficiently, allowing for easy retrieval when necessary.
What role do you see artificial intelligence (AI) playing in government initiatives?
AI is undoubtedly a force multiplier, improving various processes far beyond simple search engines like Google. In government, we have a large repository of circulars and orders, but institutional memory fades over time. By deploying large learning models, we can convert these written texts into searchable formats and automatically generate useful information.
Also Read | Madhya Pradesh: A Pioneer in Sustainable Waste Management
For example, using Samagra ID, we can instantly determine which government schemes a person is eligible for, and the next steps can be automated. This reduces the need for citizens to visit government offices, minimises the drudgery of paperwork, and ensures they receive the benefits they are entitled to.
The idea is to empower citizens, making government services more accessible while reducing the time and effort they spend interacting with the bureaucracy. AI will play a crucial role in streamlining these processes and improving overall governance.
Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter, Instagram.
