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
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Thanks for good information but IT Industry are day by down.
Hope soon everything is ok.