New technology can change the way we live : CM

Shillong, Sept 14: Inaugurating the Meghabytes NICT 2012, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma was of the opinion that the new technology and ideas can change the way we live emphasising on the great capabilities of the human mind.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 5th North East Information and Communication Technology conference held Friday and attended by ICT professionals, senior policy makers, corporate users and academicians, Sangma called on the state governments of the north eastern states to adopt the “latest, best and affordable” IT services available to improve governance even as he invited IT giants to explore the possibility of investing in the region.

Meghalaya chief secretary WMS Pariat and Information and Technology Commissioner & Secretary DP Wahlang were also present.

Sangma said, “It is important for people to be receptive to new technology and new ideas so that it is ensured that the productivity of everybody’s endeavour is further multiplied.” He also felt that on the context of governance there is no limitation as to where the technology can be blended.

Sangma, therefore, called for a stronger engagement between government and the service and technology providers with a rider that while doing so it is very important for all the partners in the field of developing technology and providers of the same to keep in mind that this is affordable for the end users.

Speaking about the constraint face by the government, Sangma said the main constraint that the government faces as far as adoption of new technology and its use is concerned is basically the high cost.

Speaking about the IT in Meghalaya, Sangma said, “We are receptive towards adoption of all the technology available. In fact, Meghalaya is the only state in the country which have all the infrastructure required for e – governance. When an EOI was floated in the year 2004, Meghalaya was the first state in the country to come up with an EOI inviting partners for a state – wide area network.”

Sangma informed the gathering that Meghalaya has all infrastructures – be it state – wide area network, data centre, common service centres, everything is in place. The only bottleneck that Meghalaya face now is the frequent failure of connectivity which needs to be addressed.- By Our Reporter