New Delhi, 30 Aug 2006

With over 35 lakh square feet under construction for IT-related SEZs and technology parks, the hill state of Uttaranchal aims to be the next hot BPO destination in India.

“IT parks have a floor area ratio of 2.0. Thus, we aim to provide at least 25,000 BPO jobs by 2007-08,” SIDCUL (State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Ltd) MD Alok Kumar told FE. Twelve companies, including many BPOs, have already acquired space in the Cyber Towers, launched this month.

Some KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing) companies like CAD/CAM solutions company Ramtech have already taken space. The state is also in talks with a French company to set up a smart card software outsourcing unit in one of the IT parks. Orangetree solutions, Astra Call services, Training company Koeing Solutions have already started operations. Other domestic IT-ITeS players that have taken space are Noida-based FCS Solutions, telecom solutions provider A-one technologies and Regal IT (an arm of the Punj Lloyd group).

The state, with its nine universities, 10 engineering colleges, 24 polytechnics and 85 ITIs churns out over one lakh graduates every year, including over 4,000 MCA graduates. But most migrate outside. According to a survey by MaFoi, over 20% of BPO population in NCR hails from Uttaranchal.

To retain people, the state has inked agreements with IT majors such Microsoft, IBM, Intel, Oracle, HP and Aptech to provide IT education at a subsidised cost. For instance, Aptech’s ADSE course costs Rs 350 per month in the state IT labs whereas the market rate is Rs 2,000 per month. The state is also in talks with HR majors like Mafoi to set up sponsored BPO training programs for students.

“We are especially aiming at the BPO sector because in very highly skilled software jobs, there is a fear of skilled people from outside taking over the jobs. Being just 250 kms from Delhi, we are looking to attract BPOs from NCR to set up centres here,” he said.

The Dehradun IT parks are located in Sahastradhara valley surrounded by snow clad mountains and waterfalls.

“To provide networking expertise to BPOs, we have tied up with CISCO to set up 10 labs across state to train students in courses such as CCNA, CCNP. The labs will churn out 500 people in its first batch,” Kumar said.

Two IT SEZs at Dehradun, one SEZ at Sitarganj, three STPs each at Dehradun, Pantnagar and Roorkee and the Cyber Towers will provide plug n play facilities to BPOs wishing to start operations the next working day. All units in the state enjoy 100% tax exemption for first five years and a subsequent 30% exemption for next five years.

With these tax benefits, the lush hill state aims to be a la Whitefield (Bangalore) or Gurgaon in two years. But a big ticket investment by a Genpact, Dell or IBM will entirely change the profile of the state.

News Source: http://www.financialexpress.com

Dehradun, 27 August 2006

In a bid to woo IT companies to the state, Uttaranchal is in the process of setting up three Special Economic Zones (SEZ). The three SEZs, including one in the private sector, have received the nod of the government.

With an aggressive policy to attract IT and ITES companies, the state machinery is actively working out means to fulfill their objective to make Uttaranchal stand among the competition of the two and three tier cities.

With the companies eyeing in shifting their base from the major cities to two and three tier cities, the Uttaranchal government is hopeful in bringing the IT investments to the state. The first move comes from the government, with offering incentives to IT companies setting their base in the newly formed state and setting up of the Doon Cyber Tower IT Park.

State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Limited (SIDCUL), nodal agency for setting up of the Software technology Park of India (STPI) at Dehradun has come up with a number of projects to build the state as the IT destination for the companies.

Alok Kumar, Managing Director SIDCUL said that the New Industrial Policy endorsed by the state government is the first initiative from the government and the bureaucracy.

“According to the IT policy, the companies which will be setting up their operations here will get 100 per cent IT benefits for the term of five years. Uninterrupted power supply and IT benefits will definitely attract the IT companies to set up offices here,” Kumar said.

He said that they are currently looking at small and medium organizations to set up offices here, as the investment cost is low compared to metros.

“Regarding the Internet connectivity, the companies can connect to BSNL, STPI or any private service provider. The state government will provide free bandwidth up to 2 mbps to all IT software companies, IT enabled services companies, BPOs. Uttaranchal with all the advantages will be a ribbon where IT and ITES development is going to take place,” Kumar added.

Speaking about the talent pool in the state, Kumar said that the government has initiated the move by computer literacy to the students under program ‘Aarohi’. The government of Uttaranchal in association with Aptech Computer training is conducting this program.

“We are also setting up a Centre of Excellence at Nainital with special industrial training to students to meet the needs of the IT companies. Microsoft has already started offering the training and IBM is also planning for an eight-month duration crash course within a short time. We are also in talks with HP education services and it is likely to offer the training soon,” Kumar added.

News Source: http://www.ciol.com

New Delhi, 25 Aug 2006

The Centre last night approved a request by the Uttaranchal government to rename the state as Uttarakhand.

The Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accepted the request for change of name.

The Uttaranchal (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2006, will be submitted to the President for referral to the state legislature seeking its views, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters here.

The bill will be introduced in Parliament after completion of the Constitutional requirements under Article three.

The proposed legislation to alter the name of the state to Uttarakhand would fulfill the aspirations of the people, he added.

News Source: http://www.zeenews.com

24 Aug 2006
Sri M. Ramachandran, chief secretary, Uttaranchal, has unveiled the “Doon Cyber Tower”, Rs 85 crore infrastructure project coming up under the public-private partnership program of the State Government.

Being set up on the outskirts of Dehradun, the Doon Cyber Tower is a joint venture between the Bangalore based infrastructure conglomerate IDEB Projects group, and the State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal Limited (SIDCUL), the infrastructure investment arm of the Uttaranchal government and the nodal agency to promote industrial development in the State.

On the occasion, Ramachandran said, Uttaranchal is known to be a knowledge-hub of the north, home to some of the country’s oldest and most prestigious institutions and research centers. We have reports that nearly 20 percent of staff working in ITES (Information Technology Enabled services) in the NCR region are originally from Uttaranchal. Through such infrastructure ventures, the government is committed to providing opportunities for our youth to find quality employment within the State.

He further added, The vision of the State Government is to promote the development of IT industry in the State. In this effort, the Government has undertaken major initiatives in IT Education, formulation of a pro-active IT Policy, and development of International Quality Infrastructure.

The joint venture Company, SIDCUL IDEB Project Company Pvt Ltd, which will be executing the Cyber Tower project, is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) that envisages an investment of Rs. 49 crores, with SIDCUL holding 49 percnet of the equity, while IDEB Projects will be the 51 percent partner and also the EPC contractor for the project.

Expressing his views on IDEB s association with the Doon Cyber Tower, H.S Bedi, m d, IDEB Projects said, This is a landmark step in Uttaranchal’s growth in IT and it is an honor for IDEB to be associated with this project.

The Doon Cyber Tower, the main landmark of the state-of-the-art 60-acre IT Park being developed by SIDCUL, will have 5,00,000 sq.ft. workspace providing cutting edge facilities and a stimulating ambience, the convergence of the civil engineering expertise of IDEB, and the investor-friendly policies of SIDCUL.

In addition, the Tower with proximity to STPI Earth Station provides optical fibre connectivity of upto 100Mbps from Reliance Infocomm and DoT. It will also provide 100 percent captive power back-up with emergency power supply, centralized, energy-efficient AC, professional property management services, double glazing for filtering sunlight, and state-of-the-art intelligent fire detector and alarm system.

News Source: http://www.techtree.com

Dehradun, 22 Aug 2006
After dabbling in pharma and horticulture, Uttaranchal is all set to become the next IT hotbed as the world’s third largest PC maker Lenovo unveils its manufacturing unit in the state next month.

While the second largest PC maker Hewlett Packard already has a unit in Uttaranchal, the world’s largest PC maker Dell is also in advanced talks to set shop here.

“While HCL and HP already operate from Uttaranchal, Lenovo will set up its manufacturing unit next month. Dell, however, is in advanced talks with the state government but is evaluating infrastructure concerns,” Alok Kumar, managing director, State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttaranchal (SIDCUL) said.

With both Lenovo and Dell present, the state will become the only region in the world to house manufacturing units of the three largest PC makers.

Apart from manufacturing, the hill state is also betting big on IT-BPO services.

On Tuesday, the state will get its first IT park. Built at a cost of Rs 85 crore, the 65 acre IT park called Cyber Towers will provide 5,000 direct jobs. The project is a joint venture between SIDCUL and Bangalore based construction major IDEB Projects.

To be completed by March, 2007 Cyber Towers will provide both SEZ and STP facility, with a dedicated area for both kinds of companies. As the state has 600 mw surplus power, the IT and BPO units will not need generators though Cyber Towers will have 24/7 power back up,” IDEB MD Harkirat Singh Bedi said. The state also plans to build two more IT parks in Roorkee and Pantnagar.

News Source: http://www.financialexpress.com

PTI, 21 Aug, 2006

COLOMBO: The inaugural South Asian Winter Games will be held in January-February, 2008, in Dehra Dun and Auli in Uttaranchal.

Ice hockey and ice skating will be organised at the Uttaranchal capital while Auli wiil host the skiing competitions.

This was announced by Secretary General of Olympic Council of Asia Randhir Singh after a meeting of the South Asian Games Council on Monday.

“The meeting unanimously granted the first ever South Asian Winter Games to Dehra Dun and Auli,” Singh said.

The picturesque skiing centre was set up in Auli in 1984.

Considered the best skiing slope in Asia, it has both sides covered with oak and and coniferous trees which break the speed of the wind making it ideal for the sport.

News Source:  http://www.dnaindia.com