JITA to get government registration

Charu Khera

Jamnagar

March 31st, 2008

Jamnagar IT Association (JITA) is all set to get the organization a
government registration. Briefing about the same, Jasmine Kamdar, Committee
Member, JITA said, "We were planning to get the registration since long and
now that we have all the details, we will soon be informing our members about
the same. Once we get their approval, we will get JITA registered."

Speaking about the benefits of getting registration, Kamdar added,
"Getting a government registration would help us solve issues that might
occur in future with either vendors or organizations like Income Tax Department,
etc. A registration is essential if differences occur with a vendor; a recent
example being a dispute with Intel. It would further help us solve conflicts
within associations."

Explaining that the registration might help raise funds for the association,
Chetan Bakrania, Committee Member, JITA added, "Getting JITA registered
would help get us more donations. It would even attract more partners in
Jamnagar to become members of the association."

In addition, JITA has plans to hold an IT expo in the region. "We
certainly have plans to organize an expo but it is too early to disclose any
details," added Bakrania.

Further to the dispute that the association recently had with Intel, the
members have decided that if they do not get an apology, they will boycott the
vendor. "If Intel does not agrees to our terms, we will boycott them and no
JITA member would participate in any event that the vendor would organize in
Jamnagar henceforth."

Apparently, there were also some disagreements amongst JITA members over the
issue of collection of funds. "Following the differences, we will take a
decision in the next meeting about whether the rule to collect a fee from
vendors organizing events in the region, should be revoked or not," said
Bakrania. Defending their stance, Kamdar said, "Vendors like HP, Microsoft
and Lenovo have earlier held events in Jamnagar and have paid us the money as
per our rules. We do not have any personal issues with Intel. We did not force
the vendor to pay us the money but what led to a conflict was Intel's employee
using foul language."

When contacted, Rajesh Gupta, Director-Sales, APAC, Intel said, "Intel
is a law-abiding organization and believes in fair business dealings. JITA's fee
is not fair as its not government surcharge. Hence, it is not mandatory for
Intel, or any vendor for that matter, to pay an association for customer/dealer
visits or events."

Rajiv Soni, Partner, Intel opined, "It is not right on the association's
part to ask for money in such manner." While other partners of Intel and
JITA members were confused about whom to support in the entire matter.