'BPO scheme creates over 10K jobs, to result in indirect jobs also'

Union Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said that 76 operational units under the India BPO Promotion Scheme initially created over 10,000 direct jobs and will create indirect employment 3-4 times this figure.

"The BPOs have provided over 10,000 direct employment opportunities, and will provide 3-4 times more indirect jobs in terms of skilling, in education, in aspiration and in computer training," the Minister said here.

A Ministry of Electronics and IT statement said a total of 48,300 seats under the India BPO Promotion Scheme and 5,000 seats under the North East BPO Promotion Scheme have been distributed across different states in proportion to their populations.

The schemes provide special incentives of up to Rs 1 lakh per seat in the form of Viability Gap Funding (VGF).

"Disbursement of financial support under these schemes is directly linked with employment generation," said the statement.

"These schemes provide special incentives for employment to women and Divyang, setting up operations in towns other than capital towns, generating employment beyond target and promoting local entrepreneurship. There are also special provisions for the Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand," it added.

Under the India BPO Promotion Scheme, 18,160 seats have been allocated to 109 units of 87 companies after four rounds of open-bidding process, distributed across 60 locations in 19 states and union territories.

"Out of these, 76 units have started operations on 13,480 seats distributed across 48 locations in 17 states and union territories. It has already created an initial employment for 10,297 persons," the statement said.

Under the North East BPO Promotion Scheme, 1,630 seats have been allocated to 12 units of 11 companies across five north-eastern states, of which seven units have started operations on 900 seats, giving initial employment to 723 persons.

"Some of the locations where BPOs have commenced operations in the north-east are Guwahati, Jorhat, Kohima and Imphal," it added.

--IANS

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