CM Dr Neiphiu Rio presenting the engagement letter to one of the selected candidates during the inauguration of the JSW Women-Centric Business Process Outsourcing centre in Dimapur on February 18. (DIPR Photo)
‘A shared commitment to inclusive growth,’ says CM Rio
Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 18
Nagaland’s first JSW Women-Centric Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) centre was inaugurated at the Integrated Business Hub & Innovation Centre (IBHIC), Forest Colony, Dimapur on February 18, marking a significant step towards digital employment and women’s empowerment in the North-Eastern region.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and the JSW Foundation under the JSW Shakti initiative.
The initiative aims to create localised employment opportunities and promote economic independence for women above 18 years of age through structured training and IT-enabled services.
Under this partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, the Dimapur centre will provide skill development and employment opportunities, particularly for underprivileged young women in the State. The centre has an initial capacity of approximately 125 seats, with provisions for future expansion. It is expected to create a new ecosystem of digital employment in Nagaland.
The facility will provide both voice and non-voice services, including banking support, data entry, insurance processing, KYC verification, e-commerce operations, and vernacular customer support.
JSW Shakti centres are already operational in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. These ISO-certified facilities have empowered over 4,500 women through training and long-term employment to date.
The Nagaland centre will enable young women to access professional opportunities within the State, reducing the need for migration while strengthening local livelihoods and the service economy.
The project is implemented under the CSR framework of the JSW Shakti Foundation, and revenues generated from the centre’s operations will be reinvested into development initiatives in the State, ensuring a sustainable and socially impactful model.
Nagaland Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio, who graced the occasion as the special guest, hailed the initiative as a milestone in the state’s journey toward skill development and economic empowerment.
“This represents not only a partnership but also a shared commitment to inclusive growth and the empowerment of our women,” Dr Rio stated.
Addressing the gathering, the CM emphasised that Nagaland’s greatest strength lies in its youth who are “educated, adaptable, and eager to contribute.” He underscored the vital role women play in the state's social and economic fabric, adding, “Government of Nagaland remains firmly committed to creating an enabling environment where women can participate fully and confidently in the modern economy.”
Dr Rio noted that the government has taken concerted steps in recent years to promote women’s entrepreneurship, skill development, and employment opportunities. “This women-centric BPO aligns perfectly with our vision. It creates a professional, technology-driven workspace where young women can build careers, develop skills, and gain financial independence,” he said.
Lauding the public-private partnership, the CM said partnerships such as this demonstrate how the public and private sectors can come together to create opportunities that are sustainable, scalable, and socially impactful.
“This initiative will not only create jobs but also inspire confidence among our young people that meaningful opportunities can be created within our own state,” Dr Rio added.
In his opening remarks, Abu Metha, Chairman of IDAN and Advisor to the Chief Minister, announced that nearly Rs 6 crore has been invested in the first phase of the project by the JSW Foundation and JSW Shakti, led by Sangita Jindal.
He informed that the BPO will initially employ around 125 people, with plans to expand to up to 500 employees in the coming months. Conceptualised and completed within six months, the project reflects strong collaboration between the Government of Nagaland and JSW.
Metha further stated that the initiative aims to generate employment within the State, so that young people, especially women, do not have to migrate to distant cities under challenging conditions.
The guest of honour, Rahul Dev, Chief Operating Officer of JSW Shakti Foundation, stated that the project aims to create sustainable livelihoods, promote digital inclusion and strengthen the region’s service economy. By generating local employment in the IT-enabled services sector, the BPO centre is expected to reduce outward migration and boost women’s workforce participation, contributing to the state’s long-term socio-economic development.
The programme concluded with presentation of ‘engagement letters’ to selected candidates.
