PSEs to leverage IT for next phase of growth

Aroon Kumar

New Delhi: Speaking at a CII Seminar on Information Technology as Growth driver for Public Sector Enterprises jointly organized with the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Shri DRS Chaudhary, Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises stated that Information Technology touches everyday lives which are now taken for granted.

He praised the PSEs for their role in the economy and felt that out of 249 PSEs about 100 PSEs could be listed. “The Indian model of both the public and the private sector playing a role in nation building has proved beneficial and resilient to external slowdowns.  Enhanced deployment of IT and a real-time information flow within the PSEs and to the external stakeholders,  will serve to provide a conducive environment to Listing of PSEs.”

Mr B Prasada Rao, Chairman CII Council on PSEs & CMD BHEL mentioned that, “ICT tools like video-conferencing are part of everyday management practices at several PSEs. Today PSEs are looking at enhancing supply-chain management efficiencies through IT.”

Dr Murali Krishna Kumar, Senior Advisor, ICT, Planning Commission stated that , “The government is looking to deploy IT for targeted delivery of government programs like UID & health schemes as well as  improved citizen & business interface with the government. Planning Commission is looking for streamlining and easier facilitation of various interactions and delivery mechanisms through the use of IT at all levels of governance.”

Mr RS Butola, CMD, Indian Oil Corporation in his concluding remarks said that IT was integral to the refining process of Indian Oil, and IOC deploys SCM for targeted customer loyalty programs. IT is also being looked at for enhancing business benefits. Investment in IT tools such as Business Intelligence and Cloud computing will feature among the major investments PSEs will make in the future.

A CII PwC Report on “Information Technology as Growth Driver for PSE” was released by Mr D R S Chaudhary, Secretary, DPE. The report looks at the IT penetration in the PSEs , some of the success stories and the way forward for the PSEs in adopting and implementation in IT infrastructure to be truly technology driven.