GUWAHATI, Oct 17 - The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) today criticised the State government�s information technology (IT) policy, which had been promulgated back in August 2009.
�The information technology policy of Assam is a first-class document, rendered poor by third-class implementation. It can also be read as a testament to false promises,� LDP president Prodyut Bora said here.
He said that among other things, the document promised three things � availability of governmental information and online transactions, support to local IT industry and vernacular computing.
�None of them has been fulfilled. There is very little information available online, and practically no transactions. The government has given no support to the local IT industry. Almost all projects are outsourced to companies from outside the State. There is no attempt by the government to force the IT biggies like Microsoft to introduce an Assamese Unicode script in their operating systems,� he said.
Criticising former IT Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Bora said that he had little to show for his performance. �The State government�s web portal is an example of Sarma�s failure,� he said.
Meanwhile, the LDP today launched its website at a small ceremony organised at its head office here. Noted journalist Patricia Mukhim was the chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mukhim said, �We, the media people, cannot be divorced from politics. It affects us � both as citizens and professionals � and therefore, we have to support honest political parties.�
