The Hindu Business Line : `Many States seeking to replicate Jawahar Knowledge Centres'

The Communication and Information Technology Secretary, Mr Jainder Singh, has said that the success of Jawahar Knowledge Centres (JKCs) has enthused several States and they are seeking to replicate its success.

Speaking at the inaugural function of Gitex, the flagship IT event, Mr Singh said that the Indian IT services industry is witness to rapid growth but is faced with two major problems as it heads towards achieving $60 billion in exports by 2010.

"While the current day manpower is estimated at about 1.3 million, there needs to be a concerted effort from the Government, institutions and the industry to ensure that there is steady flow of employable talent. Current projections indicate that we will fall short of employable talent by 2010."

The other major area relates to infrastructure bottlenecks, he said.

Commending the Government's JKC initiative, which manages some 50 centres in partnership with some 40 IT companies, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, wanted these successful JKC projects be replicated. As against 8 per cent of the 70,000 engineering graduates employable, this has gone up to about 15 per cent due to this last mile connectivity.

Dr Reddy said in the State Government efforts to promote technology sector and other industries, all efforts would be made to ensure that the necessary infrastructure, including power, was also developed. By 2008 June, AP would be power-surplus State once the gas supply was stepped up.

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