Open Source Government

Tamil Nadu (India) Deploying Linux Instead

January 3rd, 2007

The government of Tamil Nadu, a state in southern India, has begun deploying Linux and other open source software solutions throughout their government IT systems.

"Initially, 99 per cent of government systems have been running on Microsoft systems but then 2007 will be a watershed year for the state IT sector. We are fast migrating to Linux operating systems which are so much cheaper and can be operated at low cost, besides offering continuous updates and freedom from viruses," says Mr C. Umashankar, managing director of state-owned ELCOT, vested with the responsibility of overseeing such ambitious government projects as e-governance, enumerating the beneficiaries of the free TV scheme, family ration cards and the free sari-dhoti distribution.

Entry Filed under: FOSS Wins, Microsoft, eGovernment, India, Linux, OpenOffice.org