Bandh-hit IT sector expects new jobs

The information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITES) sector will be adding 8,000 jobs, this year.

IT secretary, G D Gautama said that the number of jobs would be directly proportional to revenues generated from the sector, which is expected to be in excess of Rs 2,800 crore, from Rs 1,760 core registered, last year.

At present, there were 18,000 employees in the sector.

Most of the jobs would come from the expansion initiatives announced by companies like Wipro, IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTS) and SkyTECH Solutions.

However, Gautama said, the job growth would continue right through 2005-06. At least two companies, GE Capital and HSBC had evinced interest in Kolkata.

Gautama said, GE Capital had communicated that they would be employing 3,000 people and the land requirement would be three acres. The company was expected to commence operation in 18 months' time.

Similarly, HSBC had also conveyed their requirements "" three acres for 3,000 people.

It was likely GE Capital would be allotted land in Salt Lake area, the IT hub of Kolkata while HSBC had seen both Salt Lake and Rajarhat, the proposed IT and ITES destination.

Meanwhile, the state government was also lobbying with the union government for greater support.

The IT team would be visiting the national capital tomorrow to meet union IT minister, Dayanidhi Maran.

One of the main points in the agenda was the submarine cable landing station, a long standing demand from the state IT department. In fact, the matter was first taken up with the erstwhile IT minister, Arun Shourie.

Gautama said, the state required more software technology parks (STPs) in Haldia and Siliguri and this would be taken up at the meeting with Maran. At present, there were three STPs in Kolkata, Durgapur and the more recent one in Kharagpur.

The IT team was also keen on support from the union IT ministry in the state's e-governance initiative.

The wide area network would be taken up right upto the panchayat level and this would be require an investment of Rs 35 crore.

The state IT team was likely to ask for some financial support for this project.