Govt okays 9,000 seats for BPOs in small towns

NEWDELHI:IT ministry on Monday said it has given its in-principal approval for around 9,000 seats in business process outsourcing (BPO) units across several small cities of the country, including Varanasi, Siliguri and Patna.

The Centre under its BPO promotion scheme will provide financial support for total of 48,300 seats to be set up across country with total outlay of ₹493 crore. The scheme has provision to provide 50% of actual expenditure with cap of ₹1 lakh per seat.

“I remember during my visit to Bengaluru, people from North-East, Bihar and other places asked me to do something so that they can work in their hometowns. I am happy that with BPOs in small towns, people will be able to work without any need to leave their native place,” IT and Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said while inaugurating a BPO workshop adding that India holds 38% share in the global BPO industry and stage is set for a massive growth in the sector.

“I see a lot of scope for BPOs in Indian language,” Prasad said.

More than 50 companies will set up BPO operations at 60 locations in 18 states and 2 union territories, including Varanasi,

I am happy that with BPOs in small towns, people will be able to work without any need to leave their native place

Unnao, Patna, Amravati, Dhule, Siliguri, Cuttak, Dalsinghsarai and Muzaffarpur. However, STPI officials could recall name of only TCS, Amazon among big companies that have participated in the bids for BPOs.

“In tier 2 and 3 cities, possibilities are more compared to tier 1 cities. If we move to tier 2 and 3 cities, it will be cost effective and also generate employment. We have to address problems related to innovation and transformation of sectors,” minister of state for IT and Law PP Chaudhary said.