Despite the Kerala government allowing the infrastructural infrastructure, it is unlikely that the campus of Fort Kochi will soon be available in government-controlled or owned Information Technology (IT) parks.
Last week, the Kerala government informed the foreign liquor (Fifth Amendment) rules, inserting the provision for issuing foreign liquor information technology park permits, with an annual fee of Rs 1 million to be issued to developers of IT Parks. Beneficiaries include government-controlled/owned IT parks such as Techno Park, Info Park, Cyber Park and Parks operated in public-private partnerships such as Smartcity Kochi and Private Information Technology/Information Technology Support Services Park. Only developers, not individual companies, can obtain licenses.
Infopark Kochi CEO Susanth Kurunthil told Hindu The campus does not have spare land or separate buildings that can be set up or operated in the Infopark Phase I or Phase II compliant with the permitted terms. “We already have about 120 companies waiting for space on campus. Our top priority is to build IT buildings, even if we are going to find land,” he said.
Of the 28 conditions for issuing a license to developers, “The permitted place should be a separate area within the Information Technology Park, except for the office space. The permitted room should have independent entry and exit, except for the normal entry and exit of the organization, which has the release place that may be a physical part.”
Advanced Technology President Anish Panthalani (IT IT Staff Portfolio) agrees that space restrictions are indeed a problem on the Infopark campus. “Both the state government and Infopark Kochi have proposed the third phase of IT parks. The proposed licensing site can only be implemented if it is implemented,” he said.
Mr Panthalani said that supplying alcohol in IT Park houses would only “improve” Kerala’s profile as a preferred IT destination. “Because of limited access to other destinations like Bangalore, Hyderabad or Noida, the company faces the difficulty of attracting high-quality people here. It also enables the company to host like-minded social drinkers, including international clients, as the facilities in the park are public, including like-minded social drinkers, which is detrimental to the public.
According to the notice, “It is only applicable to staff members in the Information Technology Park and official visitors/guests operating in the Technology Park, where they will be licensed and these staff members shall be authorized by the relevant authorities of the Information Technology Park.”
publishing – April 28, 2025 at 11:29 am
