While Infosys’s requirement was 100 acres, Wipro, already had a major presence in Kolkata, wanted additional 50 acre for expanding operations, West Bengal IT secretary Siddharth told Deccan Herald here.

Notwithstanding the violence at Nandigram and difficulties facing some by other information technology special economic zones in the communist-ruled state, the search for land is very much on for the India’s two biggest IT brands, he said. Beginning on Monday, West Bengal government will showcase the state’s recently created infrastructure at the BangaloreIT.in with the objective of attracting large IT companies to set up shops in the state.

While proximity to Kolkata airport is one of the key factors in identifying land for the two biggies, price negotiations are a contentious issue. Other major IT companies like TCS, HCL Infosystems, GenPact and Rolta were intending to significantly increase their operations in Bengal too, he said.

Concerns
Mr Siddharth, however, admits that “There are some concerns in acquiring agriculture lands” for IT companies in the wake of the Nandigram episode in which Buddhadev Bhattacharaya government’s plan to acquire farm land for constructing a chemical hub, led to bloody political battle. Moreover, at least two IT SEZs in Bengal, one by Shapoorji Pallonji in Durgapur and another by the Chatterjee Group in Siliguri – are in for some trouble as none have been notified so far due to problems related to completing the acquisition process and rehabilitation issues.
But another controversial acquisition at Singur, for constructing Tata’s Rs 1 lakh car factory, is now on course without any hitches.

According to the central government’s new resettlement and rehabilitation policy, the companies have to acquire 70 per cent of land required for any project before approaching the state for the remaining 30 per cent.