`IT firms follow non-discriminatory employment policy'

`IT firms follow non-discriminatory employment policy'

The Hindu Business Line

INFORMATION Technology industry was making a significant contribution to Karnataka's economy, accounting for 25 per cent of the State's gross domestic product.

An equal amount was its share in the overall exports of Rs 40,000 crore, besides giving direct employment to 2.5 lakh persons, with the number increasing by one lakh this year.

Stating this here in reaction to a State Ministers' remarks questioning the IT sector's contribution to the State's economy, Mr Mohandas Pai, Chief Financial Officer and Board Member of Infosys Technologies, said the IT sector had no discriminatory employment policy. Whoever qualified in the selection process was given employment.

The Karnataka Industry Minister, Mr P.G.R. Scindhia, has recently said that the IT industry should realise that "it is equally important to provide employment to Kannadigas in the (IT) firms."

Talking to reporters after a meeting of the Empowered Committee, Mr Pai said such statements affected the image of the industry and also reflected on the image of Bangalore, which had earned a pre-eminent position among the world cities.

He said India was making rapid strides in the global arena and added that "a Golden opportunity" to consolidate its position should not be lost.

He welcomed Empowered Committee's initiative and said a well coordinated effort should be made by the Government and the IT sector. He felt that it was time to change the policies and procedures under the current model to meet the challenges of Bangalore's rapid growth.

"The current model is not sustainable," he said adding that the White Paper being prepared by the IT industry under the aegis of Empowered Committee would spell out more coordinated effort to solve the problems through specific and time bound plans.