Date:01/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/01/stories/2007060104672100.htm

Back Centre considering extension of IT sops beyond '09: CM

Our Bureau

CMs' panel constituted to study possibilities

Hyderabad May 31 The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Thursday stated that the Central Government is actively considering the option of extending concessions to the IT sector to further accelerate its growth.

Speaking at the 15th annual day awards function of the Hyderabad Software Exporters Association (HYSEA) here on Thursday, Dr Reddy said that a committee comprising Chief Ministers has been constituted to study the possibility of extending sops for IT sector beyond 2009.

The committee, headed by the External Affairs Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, is likely to consider favourably in this regard. Tax concessions for Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) units are set to end in 2009.

The Chief Minister, while responding to industry requests, also assured them of all necessary support to ensure that they continue their growth momentum. He felt this was crucial to additional job creation.

He later handed over the Hysea awards to various technology companies for their distinct contributions.

Awards

Taray Technologies was awarded for best start-up company, Accenture (best start-up offshore development company), Value Labs (best Indian SME), Keane India (best established MNC), Nipuna Services (best Indian ITES company), BA Continuum Solutions (best MNC ITES company), SGD Software, a subsidiary of 3i Infotech (for its product Amlock), Zustek Systems (for its product eBizmailer), Motorola India (special jury award), Infor (for highest quality), and ADP, AnswerThink, Avineon, Keane India and Promantra India (all for information security).

Mr Shakti Sagar, Managing Director of ADP, was awarded for service to IT/ITES industry.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, the Hysea President, Mr Anil K. Jampala, said Hysea was committed to facilitate and develop small and medium enterprises in Andhra Pradesh as this will help the State grow export revenues and generate employment. Mr Jampala said that during 2006-2007, 21 new members joined Hysea, and the membership has now swelled to 322.

During 2007-2008, Hysea plans to initiate several steps to strengthen human resources. These include focus on retention strategies, competency mapping, career orientation for freshers, ethics in human resources and strengthening the human resources value chain.