78 firms keen on opening BPOs: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

NEW DELHI: As many as 78 companies have shown interest to set up BPO operations at 190 locations across the country for about 1,25,000 seats, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.

The government had approved 'India BPO Promotion Scheme' ( IBPS) for promoting of BPO/ITeS operations across the country with an outlay of about Rs 493 crore during the remaining period of 12th Five Year Plan i.e upto March 31, 2017.

"In the Expression of interest (EOI) stage, 78 companies have shown interest to set up BPO/ITES operations at 190 locations across the country for about 1,25,000 seats against the projected 48,300 seats," Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

He further said there is no apprehension evinced by the BPO industry for expansion in non-metro and rural areas.

As part of the scheme, about 48,300 seats have been planned with distribution across states and UTs based on population percentage as per Census 2011 excluding metro cities.

The scheme involves two-stage approach -- first is expression of interest and second is open bidding through request for proposal (RFP).

The first stage was completed on August 31, 2015, Prasad said.

The RFP for the scheme would inter-alia, lay down the appropriate guidelines in regard to eligibility, nature of support to the industry and other related aspects.

"The scheme would be operationalised, after obtaining necessary approvals of the competent authority," the Minister added.