Industry associations urge govt to classify ICT infra support, IT-ITeS as essential services

Industry associations from telecom, electronic manufacturing and IT-ITeS sectors have collectively urged the government to classify as ‘essential’ certain activities like delivery of crucial items by e-commerce companies, ICT infrastructure support services and internet services.

In a letter to cabinet secretary, Rajiv Gauba, the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), COAI and MAIT urged that companies in IT services, e-commerce, communication and ICT infrastructure support services should be classified as essential services. These services are critical to the success of shelter-in-place and other coronavirus response measures, allowing students to engage in distance learning, families to stay connected, businesses to continue operating and enabling the delivery and pick-up of groceries, medical supplies, household staples and other essential items.