Imphal, Feb. 26: Manipuri youths working in BPOs in other parts of the country can return to find similar jobs in the state soon.

A software technology park in Imphal is ready and many companies are willing to open shop here.

Chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is in-charge of science and technology, told the Assembly today that the software technology park at Mantripukhri, on the outskirts of Imphal, would start functioning very soon.

Ibobi Singh was responding to Trinamul Congress MLA Kh. Joykishan Singh who highlighted the problems arising out of slow Internet connections and erratic cell phone services. The chief minister further said that the government had also acquired a 25,000 square feet plot near the park for creating an IT special economic zone (SEZ).

"Once the park is open and the SEZ comes up, opening of BPOs will become a reality. Many Manipuri youths are working in BPOs in other cities of the country. They can come back home and work here," he said.

There is no exact figure of the number of Manipuri youths working in business process outsourcing (BPO), information technology (IT) and information technology-enabled service (ITES) sectors outside the state but it is roughly estimated that 3,000 people from the state work outside in this sectors. These people cannot save much money because of high cost of living in the cities where they work.

"I used to get Rs 15,000 per month. But I could not save much as the rent and other cost of living was high. Those working outside can save more if they find similar jobs here," Neeran Singh, who used to work in a Bangalore-based BPO, said.

Ibobi Singh said many outside companies took keen interest in doing IT business in Manipur and the government was working on it, as it would generate employment for the state's youths. However, the power situation and cell phone and Internet services are a matter of concern.

Joykishan said because of bad network, cell phones don't work most of the time but service providers charge for the calls.

"We are pressuring the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the telecommunication ministry to improve cell phone and Internet services in Manipur. We are also working hard to provide 24x7 power supply," Ibobi Singh said.

Admitting that private companies were "worried" about availability of uninterrupted power supply in Manipur, the chief minister said the government was working on providing solar energy for mobile towers as secondary source of power supply to improve the services.