The Indian electronics industry production is estimated to be Rs 41,140 crore during the year 1998-99, as compared to Rs 32,070 crore during 1997- 98, registering a growth of over 28 per cent. Consumer electronics sector has achieved a production level of Rs 9,200 crore during 1998-99. Color TV industry has crossed a production of 42 lakh numbers the calendar year 1998.

       The Government is taking all steps to make the country, a global Information Technology Superpower. On the recommendations of the National Task Force of Information Technology (IT) and Software Development, the Government has announced major fiscal benefits to the Information Technology sector and has also recommended that each ministry/department must allocate 2-3 per cent of its budget on IT promotion.

        The software industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing sectors in economy with a CAGR exceeding 50 per cent and with a likely turnover of US$ 4 billion and exports of US$ 2.6 billion during 1998-99. The Government has targeted an export of US$ 50 billion by the year 2008 for the Indian software industry. The Task Force has constituted a panel to prepare an action plan for IT hardware industry along with Policy instruments with an export target of $ 10 billion by the year 2008. The panel has submitted its report. The Department of Electronics has adopted a pro-active role to further enhance competitiveness of India in IT and has initiated a number of programmes for manpower development, quality up-gradation, stimulation of software engineering and research.

        To facilitate Electronic Commerce (e-commerce) in the country, the DOE has drafted Information Technology Bill, which provides legal framework for recognition of electronic contracts, prevention of computer crimes, electronic filing/documents, etc. Amendments have been proposed in the Indian Evidence Act, Indian Penal Code and RBI Act. The mechanism of digital signature has been proposed to address the issues of jurisdiction, authentication and origination. The Ministry of Law has vetted the bill to be introduced in the Parliament.

       To set up the mechanism and infrastructure for implementation of Cyber laws, Department of Electronics has funded a project at R&D Centre of CMC Limited at Hyderabad to develop technology for issue of digital signature certificate and procedure for certification authorities and other security guidelines.