Thiruvananthapuram, June 11: In a series of initiatives to boost the IT industry which has been affected by the Covid pandemic, the Kerala Government has come out with a Work Sharing Bench proposal to maximise skill sharing and upgradation of skill sets for IT professionals who are in the danger of losing their jobs. The government has also announced a rent waiver scheme for government-owned IT parks.

Briefing the media, Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan said, “The pandemic has badly affected the IT sector. In the first three-quarters of the current fiscal, revenue loss is estimated at Rs 4,500 crore. The Planning Department estimates that more than 26,000 direct and 80,000 indirect jobs will be lost. Many MSMEs that rely on software exports are in crisis. In this scenario, the government will support the IT industry in all possible ways. IT companies should ensure job security but at the same time, they should not be overburdened. “

Some of the measures announced are:

• Rent exemptions for three months for rent of up to 10,000 sq. ft. of all buildings with a total floor area of 25,000 sq.ft. The company can opt for this benefit for any three months in 2020-21.
• Avoidance of annual increase in rent will be considered. If decided, there will be no increase in rent for 2021-22.
• Government departments have been asked to clear any pending payments for government’s IT projects.
• Government will support IT companies get more loans for working capital. They will be able to get 20% additional loan at existing interest rates.
• Special preference for Kerala based IT companies for IT-enabled services of various government departments.
• The government is willing to work with IT companies to set up ‘Work Near Home’ units for those who face problems working from home.
• Work sharing bench to enable a common pool of skilled IT professionals and training/retraining in skillsets. IT companies should go for new appointments only after utilising those in Work sharing bench.

The Chief Minister also added that Kerala will have a lot of opportunities in the IT sector in the post-Covid scenario and companies should be able to capitalise on this demand. “Technology-based industries have the greatest potential. This will create a lot of opportunities in the field as all new industries need the outsourcing of information technology.”