Government guarantee: Disruption-free 24x7 workplace.

Ground reality: Slowdown by frequent bandhs and strikes.

Five years ago, the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government had conferred public utility service status on the information technology (IT) sector. But the prized tag has done precious little for the state’s fastest growing sector.

Over 74 per cent respondents from the industry — interviewed during a recent survey — have complained of disruptions faced during bandhs and strikes. The survey has also highlighted other hurdles that the IT industry has been facing in the city. (See box)

The city-based Indian Chamber of Commerce conducted the survey through structured questionnaires and some interviews. Over 100 IT companies were covered.

Harsh Jha, the president of Indian Chamber, shared the findings on Monday and hit the pause button when it came to the impact of strikes on the IT industry, which has been growing at an average of 30 per cent per annum.

“On paper we do have the public utility service status… But it is extremely difficult to stick to our 24x7 schedule due to bandhs and strikes,” said the city head of a leading IT company, who did not wish to be named.

The fact that Calcutta is losing favour with IT companies was evident from the survey as the city ranked fifth on the list of attractive IT destinations. Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune and Delhi (national capital region) bagged the top four slots.

The findings will be a bitter pill for the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government to swallow, given the twin targets of Calcutta featuring among the top three IT destinations and Bengal garnering around 15 to 20 per cent of country’s software revenue earnings. But a thin majority, around 58 per cent, does feel the target can still be achieved. “For that, the infrastructure needs major upgrade,” said Jyotirmoi Bhattacharya, the head of administration and facility at Wipro.

State IT minister Debesh Das chose to be silent on the far-from-flattering survey. “I haven’t seen it… I don’t want to comment,” Das told Metro.