ISODA pledges to add "IT Goods and Services" in Essential Services List

With the recent announcement by the Government of Maharastra on Lockdown from Sunday, 4th April 2021. ISODA extends thanks to the government’s decision to impose strictest measures to curb the Covid 19 pandemic’s second wave in the country.

ISODA (Infotech Software Dealers Association) wrote a letter to Shri, Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister, Maharastra about the role to be played by the members of IOSDA, where they provide Critical Information Technology solutions like Datacenter Services, Cyber Security, Physical Safety & Surveillance and Business Applications related Goods and Services to:

1. Government Departments and Organizations

2. Corporates in all business verticals

3. Public Limited Companies

4. Industries

5. Private Offices

6. Professionals

7. Education Institutes

8. NGOs

All the organisations that our members cater to including Government, PSUs and Private Sector today depend on Information Technology (IT) for their smooth operations and hence will need IT Goods and Services even during this announced lockdown period. It is observed that all the private offices are to be closed with effect from 8PM of 5th April 2021 and they are encouraged to work from home (WFH). Even to enable WFH, they will require IT Services. We would sincerely like to bring to your notice that it is imperative that Information Technology, as a backbone for all the essential services, including the common citizen's day to day IT needs, be recognized as an Essential Service.

Hence, we hereby request your good self as below:

1. Include Information Technology and Security Goods and Services in the Essential Services list

2. Issue special passes to staff of organisations providing IT services

3. Allow travel of IT service staff by buses & trains

Mamidanna Rajeev Patro, ISODA Chairman said, we are all law-abiding citizens and have been following all the norms put down by government from time-to-time and will continue to follow the same. Our members have been through very tough times in last lockdown. And even our customers from various essentials verticals were affected as we could not service them during earlier lockdown period.

In fact, with customers Working from Home, there are many challenges that they face day to day basis because of which our members support these customers at their datacenters. We sincerely request you to consider above and include IT and Security Goods and Services in Essential Services List.

ISODA acknowledges it’s complete support to all the department concerned, in fighting against Covid-19 and will extend all support to the team in ensuring all our business happens with utmost care.

About ISODA: ISODA – Infotech Software Dealers Association is a National Level Trade Association representing 200+ members across India with a vast percentage of members headquartered in Maharashtra.