Maharashtra govt joins hand with Microsoft

Maharashtra government has joined hands with Microsoft to encourage app developers to build utility apps on the Windows platform that address social and civic issues.

As part of this initiative, the company has kicked off Windows AppFest in Pune. These apps would help civil authorities seek alternative methods of interacting with citizens.

The top three apps will be selected for a presentation at a conference hosted by Asian Development Bank. The Windows AppFest represents how a new generation is tackling the challenges of government by using technology and collective action.

"App marketplaces are now proving to be viable platforms to host e-governance and socially relevant apps. Such apps can provide citizen-centric services in a secure manner, while ensuring increased transparency, reliability and efficiency in services. Microsoft, with its various initiatives including the Windows AppFest for social good in Pune, provides a good platform for app builders to ideate and create solutions to address social and civic issues," said Rajesh Aggarwal, secretary IT, government of Maharashtra.

Sanket Akerkar, managing director, Microsoft Corporation India said, "As the world gravitates towards a plethora of new devices and form factors, two things are going to be the key - apps and the cloud to power those apps. The collective capability of the developer population in India is going to play a key role in fueling this movement across the world. With this Windows AppFest, Microsoft is focusing on encouraging app developers to build apps for social good on the Windows platform."