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Over the last two years, West Bengal and Orissa have emerged
as strong contenders for becoming the next IT hub of the country. The Orissa
government has initiated many projects to attract IT to the state. The first
STPI of Orissa was started in Bhubaneswar in 1992 with about four software
development companies and had exports worth around Rs 21 lakh. Gradually
software giants like Satyam and Infosys also jumped on the bandwagon.
Presently Orissa has been ranked as seventh in the country as
far as software export is concerned. In 2005–06 the state had exports worth of
Rs 600 crore. The state has a set target Rs 1,000 crore to be achieved by 2008.
Throwing light on the state's IT policy and future plans
Surjya Narayan Patro, Minister, Energy and Information Technology, Government of
Orissa said, "Our policies are extremely well set and flexible enough to
attract the national and international investors to set up infrastructure in the
state. We have identified and established a separate landscape in Bhubaneswar,
called the Infocity and have dedicated it for the development of IT and ITeS
industry."
To attract IT companies land inside Infocity is available at
a nominal rate of Rs 15 lakh per acre.
"Among all other prominent facilities provided by the
government are non application of labor laws, proper broadband connectivity and
allotment of less stamp duty for land registration within Infocity. IT majors
like TCS, Wipro, Mindtree and Hexaware have already signed MoU with us to setup
their infrastructure in the state," Patro elaborated.
The government is now on lookout for another area to identify
and create Infocity Phase II. Throwing light on the next phase Patro said,
"We have identified an area of more than 200 acres between Cuttack and
Bhubaneswar to accommodate future investors. On the national highway it is just
15 kms away from the state capital. We are in the process of constructing a
complex there, spread over 45 acres, with ready infrastructure and all modern
amenities where companies can setup their centers by taking space on rental. The
project, which has been undertaken by Delhi-based DLF group, is expected to be
ready within the next one and a half years."
That apart the state government is also setting up Knowledge
Centers in rural areas, to take IT to the masses. The state is also gearing up
to become BPO friendly and is holding talks with several international clients.
Piyali Guha Page(s) 1
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