The Business Process Management (BPM) industry is at risk of losing up to $1 billion in two weeks if the recent ban on diesel taxis in Delhi NCR region is not revoked, according to Raman Roy, Vice-Chairman of industry body National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom).

“BPM industry (in Delhi NCR) may lose up to 20 per cent in revenues within 2-3 weeks if the ban continues,” said Roy.

“We have to deliver to international customers and there are serious reputational risks if our processes are delayed,” said Roy highlighting the concerns of BPM sector in NCR region. The ban is impacting business and safety of BPM employees, particularly women, he added.

The companies have moved business processes to other location temporarily to cope with down time that has run up to 5 hours in most companies owing to the ban but the solution is not sustainable, Vidya Srinivasan, Senior Vice-President of Genpact, said.

“In the last three days, we have had employees waiting to go home from 2.30 am to 6 am after an 8-hour shift but we have not enough cabs,” said Srinivasan, adding that, “we have made make-shift arrangements like mattresses in offices for people to sleep but its not sustainable, soon the wear and tear will start showing on employees.”

Interim relief sought Nasscom has requested the governments for interim relief to ensure safety and security of women employees and comply with requisite laws.

“About 38 per cent of employees in BPM industry in Delhi NCR are women and their safety is a big concern for us,” said Roy, who is also Managing Director of Quatrro.

“We are mandated to provide transportation for home drop to employees working after 8PM. Taxis play a major role in ensuring this. In absence of any reliable public transport, complying with this statutory guideline is impossible.”

Keshav Murugesh, Group CEO of WNS and Chairman of the Nasscom BPM Council, said, “We need immediate relief as this involves the delivery of critical operations to clients outside India. We have global repercussions on this issue, as 24x7 availability and on-time delivery is something this industry is committed to.”

Murugesh hopes judiciary will resolve the situation by delaying the implementation. “We believe it can be implemented in the next few months by which time the infrastructure in and around the capital region can be improved,” added Murugesh.

The industry body has already met with various ministries, including IT Ministry, and Delhi Police, to discuss the issues industry is facing.

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