[Fsf-india] IT Policy Govt of Kerala

[Khuzaima A. Lakdawala]

> http://www.keralagov.com/ITpolicy.htm
> 
>     15.         Role of Open or Free Software
> 
>     The Government wishes to encourage the judicious use of open source/free
>     software that complements/supplements proprietary software, to reduce
>     the total cost of ownership of IT applications/solutions without
>     compromising on the immediate and medium term value provided by the
>     application.

With all due respect to the people involved in the behind-the-scenes
advocacy efforts, it seems that the Government still doesn't "get it!"
For them it is still only a question of "total cost of ownership"
while anyone who *understands* the meaning of Free Software would know
that cost has nothing to do with it -- it is purely incidental.

Oh, and don't miss the immediately following para 16. of the said
document which talks of such wonderfully free-software-friendly issues
like Software Piracy, Intellectual Property (whatever that means)
rights and PATENTS!

        The Government shall provide orientation programs to its law
        enforcement agencies to understand the intricacies of the laws
        under the IT Act 2000 to curb software piracy.

Excellent! Read that as "The Government shall spend tax-payers money
to increase the profits of proprietary software companies."

This Policy Document has nothing to do with Freedom and there is
certainly no cause for celebration as far as Free Software in Kerala
is concerned.

-- 
Khuzaima A. Lakdawala