With a new policy, Odisha targets 30,000 jobs in BPO sector by 2022
The draft Odisha BPO policy-2019, made by the state Electronics and IT Department, promises a capital investment subsidy of Rs 1.05 lakh for units coming within the jurisdiction of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation. The minimum number of seats required for availing the benefit has been fixed at 300.
For putting up BPO units in other urban areas, barring the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and troubled districts like Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Bolangir Sonpur, Nuapada and Rayagada, the subsidy per seat has been fixed at Rs 1.15 lakh on capital expenditure for minimum 75 seats. For units coming up in Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Bolangir, Sonpur, Nuapada and Rayagada districts, capital investment subsidy has been enhanced to Rs 1.75 lakh per seat for 25 seat minimum.
According to the policy draft, Through this policy, the government endeavors to build a strong foundation in the state for the BPO industry and attract entrepreneurs to invest and set up centers in the state. The draft policy also promises new BPO and BPM units a reimbursement of 100 percent of state GST (SGST) paid for a period of five years from the date of commencement of BPO units, limited to 100 % of fixed capital investment. Existing units can also avail SGST reimbursement after meeting certain criteria.
Existing BPO and business process management (BPM) units approved under the Centre’s India BPO Promotion Scheme (IBPS) and any other scheme of the state government are also eligible for availing the sops promised in the draft policy, with riders. The existing players who go for expansion, modernization, and diversification of their capacity by a minimum of 50 % of their original approved capacity can avail benefits as a new unit
The Odisha BPO Policy-2019 also provides subsidies for human capital investment, bank interest, and power incentives, among others for attracting investments in the sector. Lower wage compensation compared to metro cities and the availability of the required talent pool gives an edge to Odisha in attracting investors in the BPO sector.
