Thursday, February 23 2006 14:47 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: Noting that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's determination has made India a major IT power in the world, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today(Feb 23,2006) said her husband was bitterly criticised when he first spoke of IT.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying function of Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat at Donapaula, Gandhi said it would be used as a major instrument of social transformation within the country.

Goa Government's ambitious 400-crore IT Habitat, taking shape at Donapaula, 5 kms away from here, is expected to generate 10,000 employment by March 2008.

Speaking at the concluding function of her two-day Goa tour, she said, "thanks to the efforts of Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, the infrastructure was already in place in the country to respond to IT drive initiated by Rajiv Gandhi."

"Currently, it is being used extensively to improve tax administration and possibilities are explored to see how it can introduce transperancy in the government," she said.

Govenor S C Jamir, Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Goa's IT Minister Dayanand Narvekar and Town and Country Planning Minister Atanasio Monserratte were also present at the function.