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Telecom

National Long Distance Services (NLDs)
NLD Service was opened to private sector with effect from 13.08.2000. All Indian registered companies having a net worth of Rs. 2,500/- crone and paid equity capital of Rs. 250/- crone are eligible to apply. However, the foreign equity of the applicant company should not exceed 49%. The applicant company is required to pay Rs. 15,000/- as processing fee along with the application. The entry fee is Rs. 100/- crore to be submitted before signing licence agreement along with four Bank Guarantees of Rs. 100/- crone each. There is no restriction on number of operators. An NLD operator can carry inter-circle traffic in the country. The licence is valid for 20 years from the date of licence agreement. Till date 3 companies have signed licence agreement for National Long Distance Service.

International Long Distance Services (ILDs)
The ILD Service is basically a network carriage service (also called Bearer) providing international connectivity to the Network operated by foreign carriers. This service was opened to private sector with effect from 15.01.2002. All Indian registered companies having a networth of Rs. 25/- crone are eligible to apply, however, the foreign equity of the applicant company should not exceed 49%. The applicant company is required to pay Rs. 50,000/- as processing fee along with the application. The entry fee is Rs. 25/- crone to be submitted before signing license agreement along with Bank Guarantees of Rs. 25/- crone. There is no restriction on number of operators.

Information Technology Act 2000 has been enacted. The Act provides a legal framework for recognition of electronic contracts, prevention of computer crimes, electronic filling of documents etc. It also amends certain related laws to provide a fully sufficient legal environment for conduct of business in cyberspace. A Cyber Controller would control the digital signature mechanism and the entire law implementation.

1. Automatic route for foreign equity up to 100 per cent in software and electronics, except aerospace and defence.
2. 100 per cent foreign investment permitted in units set up exclusively for exports. Such units can be set up under any one of the following schemes, namely Electronic Hardware Technology Parks, Software Technology Parks, Free-Trade Zones/Export Processing Zones and 100 per cent Export Oriented Units.
3. Tax holiday up to 2010 for IT units to be set up in Software Technology Parks
4. Tax holiday to R & D for up to 10 years with 125% tax concession
5. IT venture capital fund set up

1. The Pharmaceutical Policy - 2002 is aimed at the ensuring abundant availability at reasonable prices within the country of good quality essential pharmaceutical of mass consumption, in addition to strengthening the indigenous capability for cost effective quality production.
2. The Drug policy is aimed at ensuring abundant availability of essential and life saving drugs, of quality, at reasonable prices, in addition to strengthening the indigenous production base.
3. Control of prices is achieved through the Drugs (Price Control) Order, 1995 wherein 74 bulk drugs are presently price controlled. The number of drugs under price control will be reduced under the new Drugs (Price Control) orders to be issued in accordance with the Pharmaceutical Policy-2002. 

March 2006