I think, government of Kerala has learned it the hard way. By burning their fingers. Did you know that CDit, the IT spear head of the State Government is the 2nd accused in the first criminal case ever to be registered under the IT Act. This is what happened according to a report in MADHYAMAM. In 1999 the CDit entered in to some MoU with the Microsoft. ( I am searching the eact text of this MoU). CDit is the "total solution provider" in IT for the Government. When the Govt wanted to start a "Computer Integrated Service Centre" popularly called 'friends' (the place where you can remit all the government dues under one roof) they constituted a IT Mission Group. C Dit was requiered to submit a report on the project. There in the company called Comteckcomes to the picture. It is said that the idea was to start a joint venture. It was decided to use the Microsfot Technology based on the MoU and Comtech was a company in the "Microsoft Development Forum". This is is why the company came to the picture at all. Otherwise we do not know any other major project done by Comtech. We then find that the pilot project of 'friends' started to function at Trivandrum. The Software was made jointly by the Comtech and CDit. But when there was a proposal to expand the project to other 13 centres, the term "software made in the joint project" sudenly changed in to "software Comtech developed free of cost for CDit". As usual CDit was not slow to accept this and the project was expanded to 13 more centres at the cost of 13 Lakhs. (Here we pause to think, does this include the charge of liceneced Windows version on each computer at the 13 centres. I dont think so. As far as my understanding goes, many of the Public Sector Undertakings and Banks are using pirated copies thinking that they are licence. They do pay for the same. But that payment does not make Gates any richer because it never reach him.) After the above transaction the Comtech seem to have claimed another 12 Lakhs to give the rights to CDit for expanding the project to other places also. Instead of this the Cdit entered in to an agreement to pay Rs. 2200/- per month for each centre every month. Based on this some 19 Lakhs of Rs. is already given to the Comtech. It is also understood that the Comtech had by then changed the codes and the source code was never made available to the CDit. While so to make some minor changes to enable acceptance of Fees by the Kerala University through the Friends centres, the company claimed Rs. 32000. Frustrated at the attitude of the Comtech, it seems that the CDit approached another private company for a new software. When this was seen as a threat to the monopoly they enjoyed till then the Comtech filed Criminal Complaints against the new company and also the Director of CDit.
CDit will for sure accept a change to the free software in this background. There is a move to make it mandatory for government bodies to use only open software in California and Peru. We must move for a comprehensive legislation in this regard according to me. As for the carriculam at schools, I heard there is a circular to upgrade to windows 98 or higher for all schools. No funds are sanctioned. The government for sure expects the schools to pirate it. I think we must undertake a study of this in the first place and also go forward with alternatives. We must ensure that the students are aware of the alternatives. HARI ===== I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love. -Mahatma Gandhi Visit my home page.... www.geocities.com/harirajmr __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com
