According to state minister Partha Chatterjee, many IT companies have requested the West Bengal government to frame a data policy and also requested for an electricity concession for the proposed Silicon Valley hub at New Town which is on the city’s outskirts.
The minister after an interactive session with representatives of 125-odd IT companies said that IT giant Infosys has assured that it will soon begin work on its design centre in New Town and complete it in a span of 20 months.
“At today’s meeting, the IT firms have urged the government to frame a data policy. They have also sought concessions on electricity bills. We will bring these matters to the notice of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,” the industry and information technology minister stated.
Four companies which includes CTRL, EMS Electronic Manufacturing will ink agreements with the state IT department shortly.
The minister said that Reliance has acquired 40 acres at the Silicon Valley. He also added that ITC Infotech has also decided to complete its project for software development at the earliest, and make it operational.
“Response from the IT companies has been very encouraging. At least 2,000 people are expected to get employment after the projects get up and running,” he maintained.
Besides Chatterjee, the Chairman of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, Rajiva Sinha, and senior functionaries of West Bengal Electronics Industry Development Corporation Ltd. (Webel) were also present at the meeting.
