The National Informatics Centre has been entrusted with the responsibility of computerizing the functioning of District Industry Centres all over the Country. A workshop on Computerization of District Industries Centre, organized jointly by the Department of Small Scale and Agro Rural Industry (SSI & ARI), Ministry of Industry and the National Informatics Centre on June 15, 1995 at the Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, ended with the signing of MoUs between NIC and Governments of States for computerization of District Industry Centres (DICs) all over the Country.

Inaugurating the Workshop, Mr M Arunachalam, Union Minister of State for Small Scale and Agro & Rural Industry, appealed to the participants to dedicate themselves to the cause of revolutionizing the information system of India's enormous and growing small scale sector, so that the true strength of this sector is unveiled. The Minister's appeal highlighted one of the most urgent needs of Indian industries: a well-planned computer-support infrastructure which could usher in speed, efficiency and availability of information as never before.

NIC will play a key role in the implementation of the Project. NIC State Centres, in consultation with NIC Headquarters, will be responsible for:

  • Procuring and installing of computer systems at SDIs and DICs.
  • Upgrading computer facilities at DICs with existing computer infrastructure and connecting these centres with NIC's satellite-based computer communication network, NICNET.
  • Working out detailed site specifications for locations where site preparation is required for computer installations.
  • Providing essential dial-up links between SDIs and DICs on one hand and the nearest NIC centre on the other, to provide access to NICNET. In most cases, DICs will be connected, over a telephone or wireless modem, to the VSAT at the nearest NIC District Computer Centre; SDIs will however be provided with direct VSAT connection to NICNET.
  • Organizing training programmes for SDI and DIC personnel.
  • Developing and replicating project software and ensuring their implementation.