Unsung Delhi claims spot next to cyber giants

new delhi: move over bangalore and hyderabad, delhi is here. the capital, or more precisely the national capital region (ncr), is no longer an outpost of the indian software industry but a major centre in its own right, if the city government is to be believed. according to delhi it secretary s raghunathan, nearly 40-50 per cent of export quality software developed in the country originates from the ncr.nasscom chief dewang mehta, however, doesn't quite agree. he puts the ncr's share around 25 per cent. but mehta, who is also an advisor to the city government on it matters, believes that ``there is tremendous scope for improving the share''. a recent study conducted by the city government has revealed a sudden growth in the software industry in the ncr region, particularly in delhi, gurgaon and noida. a number of companies have set up shop here. and more are expected to join them. with the delhi government unfolding its policy on tuesday, it is hoped that the capital will not only catch up with bangalore and hyderabad but even surpass them. ``it's only a matter of time,'' says raghunathan. first among the policy boosters is the grant of industry status to software development. second, the industry will be allowed to operate from residential premises. third, a special it park will be set up, most likely in dwarka. the icing on the cake is there will be no sales tax, provided other states also agree, on the software industry. mehta says nasscom had also asked the city government to waive sales tax on hardware as well. e-commerce too should be exempted, he adds. delhi will also have a department for information, communication and entertainment (dice) so that by the year 2003, it can become a cyber city.