TCS to create 16,000 jobs in Bengal

The country’s largest information technology (IT) service provider, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is all set to expand its footprint in West Bengal, according to state IT minister Partha Chatterjee.

Chatterjee, speaking to mediapersons, after a meeting with TCS chief executive office, N Chandrasekaran, said that the company is expected to “soon” start construction on its second campus in Rajarhat.

The company had taken 40 acres in 2009. It already employs 14,000 people in Kolkata and has a campus presence in Sector-V as well.

“TCS said that they are keen to start work on its second campus soon. The campus will employ 16,0000 people in addition to the current strength in Bengal. Most of these will be high-end jobs,” Chatterjee said.

Besides TCS, two other biggies of IT-Wipro and Infosys-have also committed to starting work on their respective campuses in Rajarhat respectively.

The IT sector currently employs over 1 lakh people in West Bengal. Since assuming the chief ministership of the state, Mamata Banerjee has said that IT is a priority sector for her government and IT hubs will be established in small towns across the state to provide gainful employment to the youth of Bengal.

So far, the government has said that IT hubs will be established in Durgapur, Haldia, Siliguri and Darjeeling.

When contacted, TCS spokesperson told Business Standard that Chandrasekaran was in the state on a courtesy visit, and that the company remains committed to Bengal.

“We will start work on the second campus soon. The processes of work on the land are on already. We will also keep adding on the current strength of 14,000 people in the state,” a TCS spokesperson said.

Work on the Rajarhat campus was, incidentally, supposed to start in 2009 itself but was hit by the slowdown hurdle.