Chatterjee: Fast forward

Calcutta, Jan. 4: IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is planning to start construction on a 40-acre plot in Rajarhat soon. Once completed, the facility is expected to give employment to 16,000. The building plan has been sanctioned.

TCS managing director and chief executive officer N. Chandrasekaran and Ajoyendra Mukherjee, executive vice-president and global head, human resource development, today met Bengal IT minister Partha Chatterjee and IT principal secretary Basudeb Banerjee at Webel to discuss plans and prospects.

Speaking after the meet, Chatterjee said, “The company will start construction soon. We have stressed on greater focus on research and development and analytics and whether they can extend their R&D facility in the state so that more high-end jobs are generated here. Their response has been very positive.”

According to sources in the department, initial investment in the project can be around Rs 500 crore. No official confirmation from the company was available.

According to Nasscom data, one direct job employment in IT results in creation of six indirect jobs.

“We have assured them of every help in starting operations soon in keeping with our commitment to IT. I have also sought the company’s opinion on whether it was possible for them to extend its reach into the districts,” he said.

TCS bought the land at a market price of Rs 1.5 crore an acre in 2008. It got possession the following year.

The project, however, was delayed by over one and a half years owing to glitches with regard to sanction of the building plan and other clearances.

The final go-ahead came in 2011. The company already has eight offices in the city.