Imphal, November 05: The proposed Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), Imphal Centre is reportedly to be ready for operation from the administration building of MSRTC located at Mantripukhri, although there has been no sign for inaugurating the Centre as of now.

Except for some last minute final touches, everything is ready for inauguration of the STPI Imphal Centre, according to a reliable source.

It is the wishes of the people of Manipur for Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to inaugurate the Centre during his forthcoming visit to the State.

But there is no sign of any preparation being made for it, the source lamented.

The source said Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh had worked hard towards materialising the project after getting inspiration from such a centre at Kolkata during one of his visits to the city.

The Centre, once it is operated would be able to provide jobs to many educated unemployed youths of the State, the source hoped.

A total area of 3.5 acres of land including the administrative building of MSRTC has been requisitioned by the State Government besides providing Rs 1 crores as State share for setting up the Centre.

The Centre would function as an autonomous body under Union Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.

The Centre had given approval for setting up STPI Centre one each at Imphal and Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim at the same time.

The STPI Centre being set up at Gangtok too has not been inaugurated although everything said to be ready for its operation.

These STPI Centres have to become self-reliant while the Central patronage is there for the first three years of their operation.

The Centre might consider supporting them for one more year, after which the unit which could not generate its own revenue for smooth functioning would be annulled, the source informed.

However, the source exuded confidence that the STPI Centre at Imphal would not face any difficulties as there is enough manpower resources in the State.

Moreover, the assistance of Non-Resident Manipuris (NRM) who have made a mark for themselves in Software technology outside the State could also be sought as and when it is required, the source said and hastened to add that there is no such need as of now.

Many potential customers like institutions, firms and private individuals have also applied for buying space at the Centre, though it has not yet started functioning, the source disclosed.

In fact, the Manipur Data System (MDS), which is catering to the need of medical transcription (MT) has already booked the third floor of the building for its use, the source said.

According to the source, 80 percent of the space available on first and second floor of the building would be used by the STPI Imphal Centre for its own purpose.

As the whole of third floor has been booked by MDS, there is not much space left for other private firms and entrepreneurs which are vying for space.

In case, the Government could not provide space to the applicants, option has been made for providing their requirement at Youth Centre, Khuman Lampak, the source said.

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