Rajasthan traders resolve deadlock with Microsoft

The 15-day-long complete ban against Microsoft India in entire Rajasthan has ended on June 5th, when Rajasthan traders and Microsoft sales and legal team held a three hour long meeting in Jaipur. The two sides agreed to prepare a written Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to be signed in next 15-20 days. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Computer Traders Association(RCTA) has directed its all district associations to lift the ban on Microsoft for purchases on all items from all channels.

Satish Pokhriyal, Legal Manager, Microsoft and Nirupam Bhattacharyya regional sales manager - North, Microsoft along with all major district association members of Rajasthan including RCTA, Ajmer Association, Udaipur Association, Kota Association, Alwar Association, Bhilwara Association, Ganganagar Association, Sikar Association were part of this meeting.

Informing about the outcome of the meeting to The DQweek, Kailash Gupta, president, RCTA said, "The meeting has been quite positive., where the current situation and deadlock was discussed with Microsoft. Having said that, it is not that all our issues with Microsoft has resolved, Microsoft has given verbal assurance to address all our concerned. Thus, we expect Microsoft to honor all our raised demand and prepare a draft of MoU, which we will share with all the other associations, then we will reach to any conclusion."

Gupta also added, "Microsoft wanted a commitment on sales target from our association which we have refused to abide. However, Microsoft can identify and jointly work with our potential members to achieve the target. Moreover, we are waiting for MoU, which will be drafted by Microsoft in next one week. After the final outcome of the MOU we will set our future course of action."

At the meet, all associations were of the view that we will help in generating awareness and promotion of Legal software. A written  MOU will be signed by Microsoft and all district associations to protect the interest of our members against any kind of Police Action. The copy of the MOU will be shared by all members once it is signed.

He also added, "The deadlock with Microsoft is now removed and the ban for purchases on all items from all channels is now lifted. Partners can now  start their billings in the normal fashion from all vendors and distributors."

Other important decision which came into surface was formation of state wide IT association, "This movement against Microsoft has untied all the districts association to come together which has also resulted in the process for formation of "Federation of Rajasthan Computer Traders Associations (FRCTA) was also initiated in the meeting taking  two members from each  district associations out of all Rajasthan Computer Associations to handle national issues and Govt Matters under one common forum. The formal Formation will follow eventually.