‘The idea is to make govt accountable’

‘The idea is to make govt accountable’

The empowered committee meeting on infrastructure was more of a damage-control exercise by the government than anything else. This became evident when the IT captains chose to air their views. While some seem to have yielded to govt pressure to soften their stand on the issue, it was clear that the IT sector is looking forward to action and not just promises. The Times of India captures the mood of some of the bigwigs.

It was fruitful

Discussions on long-term infrastructure plans were fruitful. The industry is also ready to play an active role for better infrastructure in Bangalore. We discussed projects like integrated transport solutions as well as the spatial data centre. — Daljit Mirchandani, chairman, CII-Karnataka.

Iwill monitor developments of the corridors as well as infrastructure projects. I will constantly interact with various civic bodies to ensure that projects are completed within the stipulated timeframe. — R K Mishra, CEO of Flextronics.

Talk of solutions

This was a meeting not to sort out issues but to come up with solutions. Time-bound infrastructure plans —both short-term and long-term — as well as policies, procedures and reforms for better infrastructure in Bangalore were discussed. A white paper on reforms and policy changes for timebound projects will be submitted to the government by October-end. This will be published for public awareness on various projects.
— Som Mittal, president and CEO, HP GlobalSoft.

Positive mindset

The two previous meetings by the empowered committee on infrastructure yielded some results. This one only indicates the government’s positive mindset. The idea is to make the government accountable. Hence, we have asked our recommendations to be published so that people are aware of the projects and their deadlines for completion. The boycott (by the Bangalore Forum for IT) still holds. We will have to discuss it within our group and then arrive at a decision. We (empowered committee) will now having a meeting every month. — Bob Hoekstra, CEO, Phillips Software.

I am an optimist


Iam satisfied with the meeting. However, I will have to go back and discuss the outcome with my executive council (of Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce). The council will then take a decision. I am an optimist. I will influence my executive council to reconsider the decision to boycott Bangalore IT.in. — Anant Koppar, president of BCIC and president of MphasiS.