The state secretariat building. Image for representative purpose
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Odisha government is expected to unveil a new Information Technology policy, offering a range of concessions and exemptions to companies looking to establish campuses and operate within the State.

The government may provide a one-time recruitment assistance of ₹25,000 for each newly hired employee, with a maximum limit of ₹50 lakh per company, for a period of five years from the start of commercial operations in Odisha. This incentive applies exclusively to Odisha domicile employees working in units located within the State.

As per Odisha IT Policy draft 2025, the policy will remain in force for a period of five years from its date of gazette notification or till it is substituted by another policy.

With the Indian lT industry expected to maintain its growth momentum, driven by widespread technology adoption across various industries, particularly in healthcare, education, and finance, the Odisha government intends to strengthen its IT infrastructure and attract investment in the sector by wide range of sops.

The draft policy document says India’s technology industry exports, at $194 billion are expected to grow at 11.4% whereas the domestic technology sector is expected to reach $51 billion, growing at 4.9% year-on-year basis supported by continued investments by enterprise and the government.

Apart from facilitation of encumbrance free land to companies, the incentives ranged from subsidy on rental space, incentives of IT parks, power incentives, reimbursement of State Goods and Service Tax and interest on long term loans will be made available to IT companies.

Moreover, there will be reimbursement at the rate of 50% of lnternet bandwidth charges per annum subject to a maximum of ₹5 lakhs per annum for a period of two years from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

Eligible research and development investments would be eligible ‘for 50% reimbursement on investments subject to maximum of ₹10 crore to the academia, R&D institutions as well as technical and scientific organizations of repute, subject to approval by the government, says the draft policy.

The State government proposes to provide financial support to companies or matured deep-tech start-ups in lT and related sectors. The State will allocate ₹1,000 crore for a dedicated fund to support such start-ups. The fund will be utilised to support start-ups through equity investment, convertible debentures, and grants, based on project viability.

IT units will be waived off the routine inspection by Labour Department and will be allowed for electronic filing of all legal returns or forms. “Government will allow self-certification of the records or registers maintained by lT companies as far as possible under the following laws in consonance with the objectives of these Acts, barring inspections arising out of specific complaints,” the policy document says.