Indian state seeks $1.5bn to fund IoT development
An Indian state is aiming to encourage the development of smart device technologies by investing in the internet of things (IoT). The government of Telangana is aiming to attract $1.5bn of business investment and create 50,000 jobs with the creation of new business clusters in three districts that will develop IoT technology applications. The focus will be on developing smart cities, medical health technologies, agri-tech and logistics. The state is also promoting a number of recycling initiatives, with subsidies announced for investment in waste recycling in the region.

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government on Tuesday announced two new policies focussing on Internet of things and e-waste , which are part of the 10 major focus areas of the state's IT policy launched last year.The IoT policy is designed to attract Rs 10,000 crore worth of investments and the creation of five clusters each in three districts.The government aims to provide employment for 50,000 people in five years. Also, the state's e-waste policy calls for earmarking industrial space or sheds for dismantling and recycling e-waste in existing and upcoming industrial parks, estates and industrial clusters.Industries minister KT Rama Rao said: “We aim to develop world-class infrastructure to promote the development of IoT products and IoT-based solutions. Hence, we will create five zones each in Hyderabad, Warangal and Sricilla districts for deployment of points of contact (PoCs) in the IoT space“.The IoT policy is focussed on developing smart city solutions, medicalhealth IoT, smart logistics and agri-tech.These will be propelled by TWorks, a hardware prototyping centre being developed by the state government. The centre will partner with corporates and laboratories to access testing tools and other prototyping equipment specific to IoT.“We plan to promote manufacturing and procurement of IoT-based solutions through government procurement of products and services and having a customs facilitation centre to reduce the time to importexport parts for IoT-based solutions,“ said Rao.He said the government would promote management of ewaste through collaborations with bulk consumers of electronic products, major industry organisations and other stakeholders.The government would also provide incentives to boost refurbishing and recycling centres. A subsidy of Rs 1 crore will be provided for a minimum investment of Rs 5 crore for the first five recyclers and refurbishers. Apart from that, it also plans to give 25% subsidy on lease rentals for every company for the first three years of operation and provide Rs 1,000 as training subsidy per person every month for 1,000 people.