The Indian IT and ITeS sector has been allocated Rs.16.8 billion in 2008-09 from Rs.15 billion in the current fiscal, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said while presenting the national budget.

"Government's forward looking policy is driving the growth of information technology and information technology enabled services. I propose to enhance the allocation to the Department of Information Technology from Rs.1,500 crore (Rs.15 billion) in 2007-08 to Rs.1,680 crore (Rs.16.80 billion) in 2008-09," said Chidambaram.

He also highlighted that the scheme for establishing 100,000 broadband Internet-enabled common service centres in rural areas and the scheme for establishing state wide area networks (SWAN) with the help of the government were under implementation.

"A new scheme for state data centres has also been approved. I propose to provide Rs.75 crore (Rs.750 million) for the common service centres, Rs.450 crore (Rs.4.5 billion) for SWAN and Rs.275 crore (Rs.2.75 billion) for the state data centres," he said.

IANS