Elcot plans a BPO in every district

Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (Elcot) is planning to set up rural business process outsourcing (BPO) centres across 29 districts in the state. The corporation has also roped in Fostera (Fostering Technologies in Rural Areas), set up by the Krishnagiri district administration and Nasscom, in this initiative.

Speaking to Business Standard, Santhosh Babu, managing director, Elcot, said the idea was to open one rural BPO centre in each district at the village or panchayat level with broadband connectivity. Each centre will require an investment of Rs 15-20 lakh and have a minimum capacity of 25 seats. These centres will be set up on a franchisee basis by an entrepreneur or by the district administration. Elcot is a state government promotional agency for IT industries.

While Elcot will take care of the administration, Fostera will be the consultant and Nasscom the knowledge partner and would also help in bringing projects.

Santhosh Babu said the corporation was planning to rope in IT companies to train rural youths in technical and soft skills. The three-month training would commence by January first week. Elcot has already set up training centres in all the districts for this purpose. The agency has set a target of 3,000 jobs across 29 districts over the next two to three years.