West Bengal plans IT training subsidy

The state government is all set to announce a new and one of its kind training subsidy for IT companies interested in starting operations in the state and provide training for its employees, informed Debesh Das, minister of IT, government of West Bengal.

"The amount of the subsidy would be a maximum of Rs 20,000 per employee", the minister said.

"This will help to develop the much needed entrepreneurial skills, and trained human resources in the state in the long run", he added.

The state, thus is open to bearing a part of the training cost.

West Bengal would be the first state to announce such a subsidy.

"Around 15 million square feet space will be available for IT companies by 2010, and an additional 2 lakh people will be required to fill up the vacancies. Hence, we are looking at bringing up the talent pool", Das said.

The state wants to encourage entrepreneurship in the field. "Last year, 37 IT companies had registered and this year we are looking at increasing that number to 100 new registered IT and ITES companies", he added.

West Bengal had recorded a 31 per cent growth last year in the Information technology sector. The state is hopeful of recording a 50 per cent growth by the end of this fiscal year.

"Rolta, HCL, HSBC have been alloted land already for the 40 acre Nonadanga IT Project", Das informed.