[Fsf-friends] Free software debate in Parliament...

[Frederick Noronha (FN)]

URL:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=44496186

                          TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2003
                           [2]THE TIMES OF INDIA
                                   INDIA

   Oppn soft on Linux, wants no Windows

   TIMES NEWS NETWORK [spacer.gif] [ FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2003 11:05:12 PM ]


   NEW DELHI: In a sign that the cyber age has well and truly dawned
   inside Parliament, the Opposition on Thursday warned the government
   against the Microsoft monopoly over software.


   It urged that open source software like Linux be given preference in
   official procurement.


   The government, they said, should not insist on proprietary software
   while issuing tenders for computers, since open source software is
   available at one-tenth or even one-twentieth the cost of proprietary
   software like Windows.


   Participating in the discussion on the working of the communications
   and information technology ministry in the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP
   Prithviraj Chavan referred to competition between proprietary and open
   source software as a "clash of civilisations".


   Referring to the recent developments in Iraq, Chavan pointed out that
   cheap alternatives to Microsoft are available and that countries like
   China, France and Germany are sponsoring the
   development of this software.


   He pleaded that the "user should have a choice" of
   software and that the government should not restrict its procurement
   only to proprietary products.


   Replying to the debate on Friday, IT minister Arun Shourie said that
   the government was not thinking in terms of a rigid policy framework
   as the life of technology in the information technology sector is just
   20 months.


   "It is not a good idea to have a detailed statutory framework" as this
   could impede growth in this sector... Policy must be technology
   neutral," the information technology minister said.
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