Manipur to have information technology cell soon

IMPHAL, April 5: The State will have an Information Technology (IT) cell soon with the State Cabinet recently giving its nod to the modality for setting up of the cell. According to sources, the files concerning the setting up of the cell are with the finance department and the department of personnel for the final touch. The science and technology department will look after the cell as the state does not have a separate IT department, the source said. With the ban on appointment and creation of a separate department still in force, the cell will be manned with the qualified staffs from other departments like power, planning and science and technology. The cell will have S Birendra, director Centre for Electronics Design and Technology of India, CEDTI, Akampat as the advisor. Moreover, the state does not have its own policy as of now. However, an information technology policy for the state is being drawn up and the policy will serve as the road map for IT for the state, the source said. The IT cell will handle any centrally sponsored schemes related to IT and the 11th Finance Commission. A meagre amount of Rs 5 lakh has been allocated for the cell in the new budget. Now the state has its own website, www.nic.in/manipur. The cell will also handle all the IT related matter of the state.