Telangana IT Association Seeks MLC Posts For Software Professionals

In a letter to Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader K Keshava Rao, Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA) Global President Sundeep Kumar Makthala suggested certain recommendations for the development of Hyderabad, that has emerged as the IT Hub and welfare of IT employees:

Sir,

Despite several apprehensions on the IT sector growth during Telangana's formation the State has witnessed quantum jump in its IT exports from Rs 57,000 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 93,000 crore in 2017-18. The employee strength which was at 3.75 lakhs when the State was formed has gone up to 4.75 lakhs now. Every IT job has led to three indirect jobs. An estimated 20 lakh people are today dependent on IT and ITeS industry.

Telangana has registered 1.7 times more growth than the national IT exports. The IT and ITeS industry had become the economic growth engine for the State. With the 4.75 lakh workforce directly and families of 15 lakh people indirectly are dependent on the sector. Sectors such as food, entertainment and hospitality significantly rely on the IT industry.

Telangana Information Technology Association (TITA) which became the voice for the IT industry during the State formation has stood for the well-being of the IT employees and has become a platform for thought leadership. TITA has represented the IT employees on several issues with the State government in an effort to find solutions.

In addition to this, TITA has been instrumental in driving several State government initiatives making them a success. The association had taken steps in achieving 100 per cent digital literacy in villages across Telangana besides encouraging cashless transactions. As a result of this, TITA has won State government awards consecutively for last three years besides winning national-level Skoch awards.

TITA which has played a key role during the State formation and representing IT employees by mobilising the needed resources for the sector growth is now keen to take steps to foster growth of the IT workforce and is thus making certain recommendations. Being the Manifesto Committe Chairman for the upcoming early polls, we hereby wish to present certain proposals. We anticipate that you will take appropriate steps to ensure IT industry growth in future.

1. Representation of Information Technology Professionals in Legislature

There is a need for a representatives in Legislature for the IT industry that employs 20 lakh people directly and indirectly. This will ensue that a key growth sector is supported.

2. Creation of IT colony

Telangana IT employees who worked hard for the State formation and ensured growth of the sector post formation, should be provided housing colony. Subsidy can be provided to employees from Telangana origin.

3. Creation of Telangana State IT Corporation (TSITC)

A. TSITC can become a platform for monitoring corporate social responsibility activities and the utilisation of funds by the IT industry in addition to other social initiatives.

B. IT Employees' Grievance Cell. This can be created to address employee problems and grievances. A mechanism should be evolved so that IT employees will not be impacted by the political climate and to ensure that IT companies and management follow moral and ethical values.

C. Knowledge Hub. Such a platform is needed which will be led by IT experts and veterans who will be instrumental in the roll out and streamlining of digitalisation initiatives and socially impacting activities. This will also enable training and assisting job aspirants in the IT industry besides coordinating with the academia on initiatives that will help in the skill development in the sector.

4. IT Employees' Welfare Fund. A corpus fund can be created for the welfare of the IT employees in contingency and unforeseen circumstances. Families of IT staff working in the night shifts can take support of such a fund if any situation arises.

5. TITA Bhavan. TITA has played a vital role during the bifurcation and the State formation in fosterkng growth. It has also enabled digital literacy in the villages of Telangana by encouraging IT professionals to adopt the villages. Land can be allotted for TITA Bhavan which will help take its initiatives to the next level.

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