Major investment in IT on way for NE: Ramesh

Guwahati, Mar 1: Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today announced of major investments in IT sector in North East in the coming months, especially in Meghalaya.

Talking to reporters after the MoU signing ceremony between TCS, Assam government and IIT-Guwahati for opening TCS Learning Centre here, Mr Ramesh said ''Major investment is coming to Shillong in the IT sector and we will formally announce it within the next 15 days.'' The election code of conduct, with the state going to the polls on March 3, prevented the Minister from elaborating on the proposed investment.

Mr Ramesh said ''The MoU has opened the way for other IT companies to follow suit and tap the huge human resource potential of the region.'' He said the connectivity bottlenecks have been addressed to a large extent and things were moving in the right direction for the region to attract IT companies.

The Assam government's positive attitude and the presence of an IIT here has helped in attracting TCS, he added. CEO and MD of TCS S Ramadorai, talking to reporters, said the TCS Learning Centre is an indication of the long-term commitment of the company to start operations in NE.

''We have taken time to access the sustainability factor and are here for long-term plans,'' he said.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, speaking after the signing of the MoU, assured of all cooperation from the government for other companies that wanted to follow suit. He also thanked the Tata group for being pioneers in setting up training centre in the region. Other dignitaries present in the MoU signing ceremony included Assam IT Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma and director of IIT-Guwahati Prof. Gautam Bora.

The Learning Centre will conduct classes in the IIT-Guwahati campus and also use the facilities of the latter. The TCS also signed a lease agreement with the state government for leasing 50 flats for a period of three years.

The students would be drawn from engineering and science pass-outs, with the first batch of 150 students likely to start training by middle of this year.

UNI