Infosys executive discusses entry in Bengal with Bhattacharjee

Kolkata, Mar 6 (UNI) Software leader Infosys is expected to decide in a month on the proposal for setting up an Information Technology service unit in Kolkata.

Company's Chief Financial Officer T V Mohandas Pai, who met Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the Writers' Buildings, told reporters that the company board would discuss in details various aspects before coming to a final decision.

Mr Pai, who came here as an emissary of Infosys chief K Narayanmurthy, said the proposed unit would be set up on a 100 acre plot involving a minimum expenditure of Rs 200 crore.

He pointed out to the Chief Minister the need to expand the state's education capacity to supply adequate skilled manpower to the IT sector, expected to hire about 300,000 people in the country next year.

" There is a need to expand the education capacity. We need employment largely on the basis of local availability. While West Bengal has 60 engineering colleges producing 18,000 graduates every year, there are 280, 294, 270 and 185 such institutions in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka respectively. IT is the next big challenge for West Bengal and there is a need to create the necessary infrastructure for it, " he said.

Mr Pai also discussed with the Chief Minister the need for protecting the IT sector from the threat of strike and higher cost of land in West Bengal as compared to other states.

" The industry is apprehensive about strike since it does against the conducive atmosphere for a sector needing uniterrupted work for 24 hours. The Chief Minister has promised us all help saying that his Government is committed to maintaining cordial relation in industry, " Mr Pai said.

Mr Pai said he would go to Rajarhat on the eastern outskirts of Kolkata with Government officials tomorrow for a primary visit for selection of land for the proposed Infosys unit.

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