PUNE: Demanding improvement in public transport and steps for resolving the H1-B visa issue, the city’s Information Technology (IT) professionals have put forth their manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections. Pune being a major IT hub, a huge population of IT engineers and allied service professionals reside in Kharadi, Hinjawadi, Kalyani Nagar and other parts of the city.
“The last five years were good as several offshore companies started in India, but there are issues which need to be worked on. One major problem is the H1-B visa, as many IT professionals want to do offshore projects especially in the USA, which is a major market for IT export, but in the current scenario it is difficult,” said Akshay Singh (26), an IT professional from Pune.
“Whoever comes to power should work on India-US ties and do something for IT professionals on visa issues. Many Indian software companies often underpay their labour and there should be some rules regarding it. In India, IT start-ups accommodate foreign companies instead of making it in-house. All Indian IT start-ups are probably funded only if founders are from IITs or IIMs so this should change too,” added Singh.
An IT professional who works with a US-based MNC said, “H1-B renewal and increase in salary cap, permission to work for spouses of H1-B visa holders who are on H-4 visa, are some of the important issues the upcoming government should work on. If the H1-B renewals rejections increase, then people would return to India adding more capable people to the local job market.”
“Last five years we have seen improvement. A lot of taxes have gone and replaced by Goods and Service Tax. The Income Tax slab was raised to five lakh rupees, which was welcomed. But there are major issues like lack of infrastructure for commuting,“ said Sanmitra Gaikwad. “Although the city will get the metro, there is scope for improving public transport. Another concern is skyrocketing prices of houses.,” said Gaikwad.
“The government should control it as it is difficult for a salaried professional to buy a house. Rising inflation and fluctuating petrol prices too should be looked into,” said Sanmitra Gaikwad.
“The job market looks bleak as lakhs of engineers pass out from colleges, but there aren’t enough jobs. The government should find a way to create opportunities for these freshers,” said Ashish Jadhav, an IT professional from Pune.
“Despite IT being a major revenue generating sector, poor transport has demotivated IT professionals in the city,” said Anshul Gupta, IT professional and resident of Hinjawadi.
“There should be proper tax incentive as a major portion of the income of salaried class goes into taxes. There are no medical facilities for the middle class and policymakers should work on that,” added Gupta.
“There are global factors affecting this sector like Trump and Brexit. As for Indian IT software, US and UK are the main markets for export and it is important for the new government to negotiate with US. It is important for the new government to create policies to motivate companies to expand in tier 3 and tier 4 cities and hire local talent, which will generate employment,” said Deepak Shikarpur, IT entrepreneur, writer and career counsellor.
“Jobs cannot be created by mere slogans. Robotics is taking away jobs. It is a global problem and no one can stop the growth of technology. In next five to ten years, unemployment will be a major crisis. Thus it is important to create highly skilled talent. The government should take bolder steps and make it mandatory for universities and institutes to engage students with industry while studying,” added Shikarpur.
