Hi,

Here are my thoughts on "what government should do to promote Free and Open Source softwares in India".

The Government in most countries are BIG buyers in IT. Being a BIG buyers gives them the leverage vis-a-vis the dictating terms on the vendors. The Indian Government can use this leverage to boost Free and Open Source software by defining purchase policies of their needs.

The Government purchases can be classified in to two categories - Defense and Non-Defense IT purchases.

The Government can lay down following buying policy in their tendering procedures.

Defense Purchases : The tenders for these purchases should ask for solutions rather then a specific product from a specific company. This will provide level playing field to all competing product or service vendors, whether Free/Open Source or Proprietary.

The tenders for these purchases should accompany the source code for the products. This needs to be mandatory as it relates to defense and security of the product should be paramount in nature. The security can only be ascertained if the source code is available.

Non-Defense Purchases : As with non-defense purchase, the tenders for purchase should ask for solutions rather then a specific product.

This tender can have a voluntary clause for providing source code for the product. However, it should mandate that a product which accompanies source code will be preferred over non-availability of source code.

If the above policy guide lines are followed as is or with required modifications it will lead to

Get superior, robust, scalable and easy to use IT Solution Lower IT acquisition cost for the Government Efficient use of "scares" resources Enhanced SECURITY Possible savings in nett foreign exchange outflow More employment opportunities for the people as focus shifts from products to services. Providing "level playing field" to all vendors Reducing governance and leveraging purchase power of the Government Promotion of Free and Open Source software

The same priority should be there for private sector as well.

HTH With regards,