HP joins IT park league; to pump in Rs 200 cr

After Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana, now it is Himachal Pradesh that's leaving no stone unturned to boost the IT sector in the state.

The state will soon have an IT park, spread over 25 acres, with an initial investment of around Rs 200 crore in the first phase. Moreover, 10 developers have given expression of interest (EoI) for the development of the park.

The government has identified land in Solan and Shimla. But the exact location for the first phase of the purposed park is yet to be decided. Also, the government possesses land at all these locations, and so the acquisition is not a problem.

When contacted, IT Secretary Sanjeev Gupta said, "For the development of the park, 10 developers, including SKIL Infrastructure Ltd, Omaxe Infocity, Zoom Developers, Uppal Housing, Parsvanath Builders, and DLF, have shown expression of interest."

"After the first par come up, we would plan for more IT parks in the state," Gupta said. He further added that the purposed IT park would be spread over 25 acres of land and would be set up with initial investment of around Rs. 200 crores. He said that the total built up area would be spread over 1 lakh square metres, and the rest would be in form of other amenities like Park etc. He said, " Very soon, we will invite tenders, and allot sites to the developers through transparent bidding purposes."

He added that the department had also identified one site that is Raja Ka Talab near Pathankot. The work on the purposed park is likely to started by the third week of October and likely to be completed within one and a half year.

Commenting upon lucrative option for IT companies, he said as per Software Technology Park of India(STPI) norms, the companies which were operating in other states and engaged in only exports were entitled for income tax benefit till 2009, but in HP it would be valid till 2013 and moreover this is valid for companies which are engaged in domestic business also, so it is win win situation for the entrepreneur setting up their IT unit in the state.

Talking to Business Standard, STPI, Additional Director, Sanjay Tyagi, said, " The move of the state government will definitely push the IT sector in the state." Commenting upon manpower he said, " There is no dearth of skilled manpower in the state, but the private colleges have to upgrade themselves to cash in on the growing opportunity for IT professionals.

On Income tax benefits in the state, " He said this will definitely attract the IT sector, moreover if other companies migrate to Himachal Pradesh, why not the IT companies. But seeing the nature of IT companies the state government have to lay special emphasis on IT sector. Moreover, they have to ensure that the Park should not be set up in interior areas."

Expressing his views, Himachal Pradesh State Council, Immediate past Chairman, Ashok Tandon said, " It was necessity for Himachal Pradesh to catch up with Punjab and Haryana. I think Waknaghat would be the perfect location for that park, apart from that Mandi , Kangra, Dharmsala is also good location for setting up IT park."