Role of PSUs in IT sector to be redefined.

PSUs in Kerala have failed the people and the Govt in so far as their role of protecting them from the exploitation by the monopoly capital, especially with respect to the use of Information Technology and Swathanthra Software are concerned, which could have been one of the area of operation of PSUs in IT sector with which they could also be revived ending their dependence on budgetary support from the Govt.

Here, in Kerala, we have a peculiar situation.

LDF Govt is politically tuned for Swathanthra Software.

> it@school is doing a wonderful work.

> Higher Education sector is lagging far behind in adopting Swathanthra Software.

> Public Sector IT service providers who were declared Total Solution Providers for
the GoK, like Keltron, CDiT and the mission mode organisation IKM refuse to migrate
to Swathanthra Software.

> Those in authority to decide upon the selection of software solutions are still not
convinced of the capabilities and need for Swathanthra Software.

> They are asking us for Models using Swathanthra Software and HR proficient in Swathanthra
Software.

> Govt is in need of Swathanthra Software Solutions. Govt has got resources. They are spending heavily, dolling out to corporates through tender conditions always favourable to corporates.

> They cannot be blamed for this if we take the case of a normal project which could be monitored and evaluated by the community like a civil construction and the like.

> Here, this being software that can be copied and used, the drain on public money is exhorbitant. It could be avoided by developing in house capability. If not, local capability. If not, state level capability. If not, empowering the existing PSUs or establishing new ones specific for this. In fact IKM was one such meant to address these new task. But it so happened that IKM was handed over to the same experts who were against Swathanthra Software.

> Technical consultants available in the state, in PSUs like Keltron, CDiT, NIC, CDAC etc are all arguing for Proprietary Software. They are not prepared to change. They adhere to what they learnt in the past.

> A specific case can be cited. Kerala Water Authority is going for e-governance. Around 35 Crores is the total layout. MD, bulk of officers and staff argue for Swathanthra Software Data Base, PostgreSQL. One finance member imported from AG's office and the chairman insist of "ORACLE". This Accounts member had experience on "ORACLE". He is from All India Cadre. Having very good clout. There is a DATA BASE ADMINISTRATOR working on the existing systems, one expert on DATA BASE posted from NIC. The proponents of "ORACLE" gets a report from the DBA in favour of KWA going for "ORACLE". What is to be done with this NIC Expert, the Finance Member and the Chairman ? This is how the system works for the corporates, Capital and imperialism. We are squarely facing them. So far the doubt was over the capability and user friendliness of Gnu/Linux. Now no body can dispute it. But now data base is the point of contention. ORACLE is bribing the officialdom. Their agents have approached the leaders of the union of KWA employees with offers !. It is clear why KWA accounts member and chairman are favouring Oracle. This is going to be a case for Vigilance and anti-corruption Bureau (VACB) of the State or even CBI.

> A second example, still more interesting. Trivandrum Corporation opted for a metro city planning package which was being used at Coimbatore in Tamilnadu. The package was donated by a software firm located at Pune, we are told. But when this package is used, the building plans submitted by the people (through the licensed Architects, Engineers and Draftsmen) are to be provided on AUTOCAD 3D format. If the 15000 and odd lincensees in Kerala have to shift to AUTOCAD with 3D facility each of them have to doll out a considerable amount. License fee per utility is 1,30,000. If a licensee with 3 desktops in its office (One for drawing personnel, another for checking and a third for the manager) each has to pay an amount of 1,30,000X3 = Rs. 3,90,000. Number of multi-HR firms are around 7500 in kerala. Total cost comes to 3,90,000x7500 = Rs. 292.50 Crores. Either the remaining single HR concerns go out of service or else they have to spend atleast 1,30,000 each which comes to a total of 1,30,000X7500 = Rs.97.5 Crores. Total comes to Rs. 390 Crores. Should we allow this ?
Just imagine the amount Coimbatore Corporation has dolled out to AUTOCAD for a free package. Now AutoCAD suppliers are offering a commission of 30% for every piece of software purchased by the lincesed building plan providers to the functionaries of LENSFED, an organisation of the concerned licensees.

> Govt is dolling out money to Keltron for its sustenance by way of grant and writing off loans by converting it into equity and the like. Why not Keltron empower itself with SS. We had approached the Keltron management and employees way back 2000 through the then Industries Minister Com. Suseela Gopalan who asked the then Industries Secretary Mohandas to examine our porposal. He in turn summoned the Keltron MD, Sri. Ajayakumar, who himself was an IAS officer and introduced us. We were asked to come and discuss at Keltron. We were introduced to one DGM by name Jayakumar or so. Incidentally, he is no more there. He riducled us on our proposal to start using Free Software. He reported back to MD that our proposal is ridiculous. He in turn expressed his inability. For having proposed the use of Free Software, our comrade K V Anilkumar was summarily dismissed from Keltron without notice or opportunity to defence in the name of applying for an extension of one week's leave for a project he was to complete as part of "Peoples Plan Campaign". He was dismissed on 20-05-2000. As the entire bureoucracts lined up in Keltron against Sri. Anilkumar, even the minister couldnot help. We had to wage a 6 year long legal battle in the High court of Kerala. Anil was ordered to be reinstated in Keltron by striking down Rule 31 of Keltron Conduct and discipline rules. Court observed that Anil is eligible for back wages, but not ordering it as Keltron is in financial crisis. Anil didnot claim it as he was getting his living (poverty) from the OSS ICS Ltd and Kannur University etc during the period. Can we expect Keltron to empower itself atleast now ? Their answer is still no model and no HR ?

> Who is to create models ? Who is to develop HR ?

> Is it to be done with corporate funding by NGOs ? Or is it to be done by the establishments themselves.

> Kerala Swathanthra Software movement is taking up this challenge. DAKF is launching community projects that will prove the capability of Gnu/Linux and PostgreSQL. But no institution having resources are prepared to sponsor the project.

> I propose a tax of 10 percent over all the Govt Spending on IT projects during the last 10 years to be granted to the SS industries, ofcourse other than Keltron and CDIT as they cannot be expected to utilise it for the purpose due to their track record in the past. The amount shall be given to organisations like SPACE, OSS ICS Ltd, ATPS, ITFlux, INAPP, XYWARE, Focus Infotech, Femtotech, ZestyBEANS etc who provide service on Swathanthra Software platforms in the state of Kerala.

> It is mere nonsense on the part of those in authority to ask for models and HR after 12 years of launching of Gnu/Linux projects in Kerala.

> There are atleast 9 co-operative societies working on Gnu/Linux and PostgreSQL for the last 10 years without a days crash, continuously servicing the members.

> There is the Cash Counter management Package working on Gnu/Linux and PostgreSQL (LAN Package) in CTO Kochi handling multi-lakh monthly records of Telephone bill data of both Land Line and Mobile without any crash of the system even for a moment.

> There is the web based Asset Management System working on Gnu/Linux and PostgreSQL in SSA head quarters of BSNL ernakulam handling multi-lakh asset data used by around 500 users (JTOs, SDEs, DEs, DGMs) for their accounting and bill processing including printing of on an average 250 cheques per day for payment.

> There is the FOCUS Automobile (Formerly Benz Automobiles) all India inventory data base with PostgreSQL.

> There is the web based ERP package (locally developed by OSS ICS Ltd) working, managed maintained by internal team of Prajasakthi Sahithi Samstha a publishing house in Andhra Pradesh working on Gnu/Linux and PostgreSQL

> There is the Budgeting & Expenditure Management software with Financial Consolidation in PHP & mySQL at NPOL, Kochi; a Central Government Organisation.

> There is the Enterprise Project Collaboration ERP at KITCO, a Semi-Governmental Organisation: Technologies are PHP & PostGres

This issue is discussed not to argue against Public Sector. But to strengthen it. Peoples movements, co-operatives are also to be considered part of Public Sector.

In short, our PSUs have failed us in fighting the corporates as they are bureaucratically managed. Local community has thrown up the alternatives. They deserve a better deal. They are not the ultimate answer. The PSUs are to be empowered. But for that itself, the community intervention is a must for the time being.