The Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL) is set to launch a scheme for incentivising the establishment of BPO/IT/ITES operations across panchayats in the State. Under the Fostering Technologies in Rural Area (FOSTeRA) scheme, which is aimed at creating around 10,000 jobs in the sector, up to 50% of expenditure incurred on setting up the operations will be provided to eligible companies, with an upper sealing of ₹1 lakh for every job created.
Up to 50% of financial support for operation expenditures, including mostly utility bills, will also be provided. In addition, there will be special incentives for units providing employment to women, persons with disability and transgender persons. A special incentive of 5% will be provided if 50% of the employees are women, while an incentive of 10% will be given if 100% of the employees are women. The incentive will be 4% if 2% of the employees are differently abled and 0.5% for employing transgender persons.
Santhosh Babu, Managing Director, KSITIL, who played a key role in setting up similar rural BPOs during his stint in Tamil Nadu, told The Hindu that the large number of Keralites working in the IT sector outside Kerala can use the opportunity to come back and establish companies closer home. The project could add a fillip to the Local Self-Government department's initiatives to generate jobs at the village level.
