India and The Computer A study of Planned Development

402 Pages·1992·108.715 MB·English

by  C.R. Subramanian

INDIA AND THE
COMPUTER
A Study of Planned Development
C. R. Subramanian
DELHI
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
BOMBAY CALCUTTA MADRAS
1992
•S <>¥-<•>
Oxford University Press, Walton Street, Oxford OX2 6DP
New York Toronto
Delhi Bombay Calcutta Madras Karachi
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Nairobi Dar es Salaam
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and associates in
Berlin Ibadan
©Oxford University Press 1992
SBN 0 19 562735 0
Printed at Rekha Printers Pvt Ltd, New Delhi 110020
and published by S. K. Mookerjee, Oxford University Press
YMCA Library Building, Jai Singh Road, New Delhi 110001
To my wife
Parvathi
for her unfailing support
University Libraries
Carnegie Lleilon University
Pittsburgh PA 15213-3890
'
—
Contents
List of Tables J*
Preface X1U
Acknowledgements XVI
A Note on Units of Currency and Value X1X
I Sclf-Reliant Development Fails (1968-78) 1
II Quest for New Policies (1978-84) 38
III The Policy of Rajiv Gandhi (1984-90) 60
IV Peripherals Pose Difficulties 83
V Mainframes - A Late Awakening 109
VI Software - Dreams of Riches 133
VII The Exit of IBM 161
VIII Indigenous Development — The ECIL Experience
IX CMC Ltd. - A Qualified Success 208
X Technology and Applications Development 222
XI The Private Sector Takes the Lead 274
XII A Look to the Future 280
Appendices
A. Brazil and China ^15
B. Policy Guidelines for the
Import of Computers - 1975 33^
C. The Minicomputer Policy - 1978 336
D. November 1984 Policy 339
viii Contents
E. Computer Imports for Software Exports
1974 Policy
F. Software Export Policy - 1981
G. Software Policy - 1986
List of Abbreviations
Bibliography
Index of Names
Subject Index
List of Tables
4
1.1 Bhabha Committee Projections
1.2 Computer Applications (1968) -
of.
Narasimhan Tabulation
10
Electronic Markets, USA (1966 forecasts)
1.3
11..44 US Federal Funds for Research and
111111
Development (1966)
111111
1.5 R&D Expenditure in Industry
1.6 Minicomputer Panel - Estimate of
1199
requirements - (Fifth Five Year Plan)
1.7 Computers - DOE Expenditure -
333000
A Summary up to 1978
333111
1.8 Production (1976-9)
31
1.9 Computer Installations (May 1978)
32
1. 10 Distribution of ECIL Computers
32
1.11 Import of Computer Systems (1976-81)
42
2.1 Minicomputer Production (1980-2)
45
2.2 Computer Demand Profile (1982-90)
45
2.3 Estimated Demand for Peripherals
46
2.4 Seventh Plan Projection-Computer Demand
2.5 Seventh Plan Projection-Computer Demand
4477
(1985-90)
List of Tables
X
2.6 Seventh Plan Projection-Demand Projections
for Computers 47
2.7 Import of Computers - Government
Account (1980-4) 5522
2.8 Price Analysis (1983) 55
2.9 Import and Production (1980-4) 56
3.1 Production of Computers and Peripherals 75
4.1 Peripheral Manufacturing Licences 85
4.2 Peripheral Licences Granted to BEL 87
4.3 Sondhi Committee Report - List of
Licences up to 1979 93
4.4 Peripheral Industry (1983) 94
4.5 Demand Projection for Computer
Peripherals 97
4.6 Summary of Demand Projections -
Peripherals 98
4.7 Peripherals - Licensing Recommendations -
Rao Committee 9999
4.8 Peripherals - Licensed Capacity/Foreign
Collaborations 101
4.9 Production of Peripherals (1985-90) 103
4. 10 Major Indian Peripheral Manufacturers
(1991) 104
6. 1 Conditions for the Import of Computers
for Software Export 136
6.2 Software Exports (1975-8) 139
6.3 Computer Imports for Software Exports
(1981-4) 141
6.4 Software Production 142
6.5 Ten Independent US Software Companies-
Sales - R&D Expenses - (1987) 152
6.6 Software Domestic and Export 153
6.7 Indian Software Industry - (1990-1) 154
7. 1 IBM 1401 Reconditioning Programme 162
List of Tables
IBM - Indian Operations - Financial
7.2
116633
Summary
IBM Operations - Foreign Exchange
7.3
116655
Outflow
171
IBM - Clients Served-Persons Employed
7.4
178
8.1 ECIL's Projections
180
The Proposed Range of EC1L Computers
8.2
185
ECIL Production up to 1978
8.3
193
Total ECIL Computer Sales to Private Parties
8.4
194
ECIL Computer Deliveries up to (1986-7)
8.5
196
ECIL - Invcstmcnts/Profit/Loss (1970-87)
8.6
198
System Software Developed by ECIL
8.7
204
ECIL Computer Division Performance - Sales
8.8
214
9.1 CMC Ltd. -Turnover (1989-90)
216
CMC - Value Added/Value Applied
9.2
215
9.3 CMC - Incomc/Expcnse/Profit
9.4 CMC Ltd. - Financial Position
221177
(31 March 1990)
218
9.5 Percentage Profit before Tax (1987-90)
9.6 Systems and Equipment under
221199
CMC Support (1990)
9.7 CMC Seventh Plan Targets -
221199
Revenue Projections (1989-90)
10.1 Technology Development-
222255
Completed Projects (1971-84)
10.2 Technology Development - Ongoing
222222666
Projects (1984)
222333444
10.3 NCSDCT 'Paper' Output Count
239
10.4 NIC Financial Outlays
10.5 Manpower Development-
225500
Computer Requirements (1980-5)
10.6 Computer Manpower Requirements
225511
(1985-90)