Date:15/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/07/15/stories/2006071503140600.htm

Back SEZ scheme favours big cos: Nasscom

Our Bureau

Kolkata , July 14

The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) has said that the Government's SEZ (Special Economic Zone) scheme favours big companies and not small ones.

Speaking at the ITES-BPO Conclave East 2006 organised here by Nasscom and TiE, Kolkata Chapter, Mr Kiran Karnik, President of Nasscom, said the SEZ scheme does not provide a level-playing field. "The SEZ scheme favours big companies while the IT industry thrives and survives on small start-ups," he said referring to a SEZ scheme provision that allows companies to buy land measuring a minimum of 25 acres.

According to Mr Karnik, Nasscom has urged the Government to modify the SEZ law to help small IT companies. He suggested that the STPI scheme be extended by another 10 years and STPI be accorded the status of SEZs.

Cyber crimes

On the issue of cyber crimes, he said India is safe in this regard compared with other countries where many instances of such crime take place every week. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Debesh Das, West Bengal's IT Minister, said the State Government is focused on facilitating the creation of infrastructure for BPO-ITES companies.