Bengal open arms for IT sector

Microsoft shows interest.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday announced full support for development of the IT and technology sector in the state.

"It's an open offer, you just tell me, I will do. This government is fully committed," she said at Infocom 2011.Pointing out that this sector (IT and technology) is an employment potential area, Banerjee said the state has formed two high-power committee under the leadership of technocrat Sam Pitroda and Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy.

Meanwhile, software major Microsoft said they are keen to participate more aggressively with the state and are planning to have a full-fledged dialogue with the state government.

The company was eyeing, e-governance, education and SME industry to forging partnership with the state, Microsoft India chairman Bhaskar Pramanik said. As IT Minister Partha Chatterjee was not well now, Microsoft will attempt to meet him later, he said adding that he will consider joining the high-powered committee in his individual capacity if he gets an offer from the state government.