JSW fuels BPO revolution in Bellary

Bellary, (Karnataka), August 16: Celebrating the 60th year of Indian Independence, Honorable Home Minister of Karnataka Shri M. P. Prakash inaugurated JSW's new 100 seater BPO at Bellary. Capable of employing over 300 young graduates the BPO will be run under the aegis of JSoft Solutions Ltd, the newly formed software arm of the JSW Group. The JSoft Solutions venture is part of an ambitious youth empowerment initiative started by Mrs. Sangita Jindal, Chairperson of JSW Foundation.

Aimed at providing localised employment and to empowering the youth, JSoft Solutions, has planed to set up such centers in other cities of Karnataka like Hospet, Hubli and Raichur.

A 300-seater BPO, with a capacity to employ 900 people, is slated to start operations by January 2008 near Toranagallu, where JSW Steel Limited is located. Initially the center will cater to non-voice processes, which will later be upgraded to a full fledged voice BPO.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Sajjan Jindal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of JSW Steel Ltd, said, "On the auspicious occasion of our 60th year of Independence it gives me great pride to initiate this youth empowerment project to generate localized employment. I would like to assure all Kannadigas of employment in even the tier-III cities and district talukas. Preferential employment for the Indian Girl child in these JSoft centers is another priority area for us."

The Hon'ble Minister announced plans for setting up an Earth Station at Bellary to give a quantum boost to the IT Industry and make it a technical hub.

Later in the day, the Bellary Chamber of Commerce & Industry felicitated Mr. Sajjan Jindal & Mrs. Sangita Jindal for their sterling contribution to the fields of Industry and Corporate Social Responsibility.

Mr. Jindal also announced future plans to scale up the Bellary BPO into a 1000-seater operation with due support from the Bellary Chamber of Commerce & industry. This would open up new avenues of employment to the youth who were forced to migrate into the cities, Mr. Jindal added.

The Rural BPO revolution was started with the launch of Datahalli at Vidyanagar under the aegis of the JSW Foundation. It has provided job opportunities to numerous rural women above eighteen years of age. The BPO at Bellary has already hired 100 men & women.

About JSoft Solutions Ltd.,

JSoft Solutions Ltd., which is in the process of being set up as an independent software company, provides technical & logistical support to the BPO's, thereby tapping rural human power resources. JSoft Solutions Ltd., the software arm of the JSW Group, currently catering to in house needs, is to be hived off as a standalone vertical. Small, medium & large manufacturing companies are potential customers of JSoft. This software arm, which has a strong core competence in dealing with manufacturing companies, is all set to tap newer markets.

About JSW Steel Ltd:

JSW Steel Ltd., belonging to JSW group, part of the US $ 6 billion O P Jindal Group, is one of the lowest cost steel producers in the world. The group has diversified interest in mining, carbon steel, power, industrial gases and port facilities. JSW Steel Limited is engaged primarily in manufacture of flat products viz. H R Coils, C R Coils, Galvanised products, auto grade / white goods grade CRCA Steel and Power. Incorporated in 1994, it has grown to US $ 2.5 billion in little over a decade. JSW Steel Limited has the largest galvanizing production capacity in the country and is the largest exporter of galvanized products with presence in over 74 countries across five continents.