Open-source bites into Microsoft share in Bengal e-gov

Having tried out Microsoft for a few years, the West Bengal government’s information technology department is now opting for open-source operating systems in new purchases of PCs for its ambitious e-governance programme.

The state recently chose to install Lenovo PCs loaded with Red Hat Linux for an e-governance programme involving 277 panchayats in Burdwan district.

The state’s IT minister, Debesh Das, said he is not looking for a confrontation with Microsoft, but is clearing the purchase of open-source by any department that wants it. Dr Das, a professor of computer science, is himself a votary of open-source and the free software movement.

Manish Mukherjee, general manager of the state-owned Webel Technology Ltd, who is in charge of sourcing software for various government departments, said the government will buy less and less proprietary software like Microsoft Windows and Office, which is not only pricey, but needs costly upgrades and do not reveal their source code.

“We are now in the transition stage and when we start developing various applications on open source, we will cut down our expenditure on proprietary software,” said Mukherjee.

Microsoft does not reveal any figures for India, let alone for the state.

But Hemant Chabria, managing director of Chabria Infotech, one of the leading channel partners of Microsoft in the east, said Microsoft’s government business here is around 30% of its total in the state.

Webel’s Mukherjee said Microsoft does substantial business with the state government if one takes into account all kinds of involvement of the global major.

Recently, the IT department said it would set up a computing center for open source software. Majors like Sun, IBM and Red Hat have already expressed their willingness to participate. The government is looking for a more active involvement with various shades of the free and open source based software movement.

Das said departments would be free to choose Microsoft products. “We are for open-source based software implementation in government work. But if some government departments insist on Microsoft products, we will certainly not oppose it,” Dr Das said. “But our preference is open source software.”

Gautam Bhattacharjee, Webel’s executive director for technology, said the state is looking for cost-effective solutions and the new direction is based on the outlook to economise spending on software.

But Chabria believes that, with Microsoft coming up with various Windows and Office editions for the government and public utility segments based on affordability, there is no question of Microsoft facing a threat.

“It is a question of comfort and best computing practices. Even if for some time, some government departments shift to open source, they will realise that it is not the best thing to do,” said Chabria.