Infy to meet Bengal brass for SEZ go-ahead

The Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee was ideologically opposed to SEZ for which both the proposed projects of Infosys and Wipro were in limbo.

Infosys, which is still awaiting nod to get special economic zone status for its maiden venture at Rajarhat in West Bengal, is seeking an audience with new state IT minister Bratya Basu in 15-20 days, an official of the company said.

"I am planning to meet the new IT minister in 15-20 days and will wait for the response and then take a call," Ramadas Kamath, EVP and Head Infrastructure, Infosys, told PTI.

Kamath, who is in-charge of the Bengal project, said the idea behind meeting the minister is to take feedback from the government.

"We are not asking for anything from the state government. We just want the state government to recommend the SEZ proposal," he said.

"Hopefully, something will happen now. It should happen here because it is happening everywhere. We got fantastic support from the Kerala government where a Communist regime in is in power now."

The Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee was ideologically opposed to SEZ for which both the proposed projects of Infosys and Wipro were in limbo.

Kamath said the governments have now realised that creation of employment, improving trade and commerce are key to survival.

"We are feeling confident about West Bengal since the government is making the right noises," he said.

Infosys had paid Rs 75 crore (Rs 750 million) for buying 50 acres from the government.

To a query, he said the project at Rajarhat had not reached the planning stage since the SEZ status is yet to be accorded. "After getting it (SEZ), we will then start planning," he added.

Image: Infosys campus. Photograph: Reuters