IT sector criticism unfair: Minister

IT sector criticism unfair: Minister

The Hindu

Rs. 6,000 crores invested in Bangalore infrastructure, says Sindhia

BANGALORE: It is unfair on the part of the information technology sector to issue the threat of boycott of the annual IT exhibition, Bangalore.IT.in, as the coalition Government has invested over Rs. 6,000 crores in 13 months on infrastructure development in Bangalore, Industries and Finance Minister P.G.R. Sindhia said here on Monday.

He told presspersons that aid from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (about Rs. 3,000 crores) is being utilised for implementing the Cauvery fifth stage water supply project for Bangalore.

World Bank aid

Of the Rs. 1,400-crore World Bank aid for Karnataka Municipal Reforms, Rs. 1,000 crores will be used for the development of areas around Bangalore to bring the facilities there on a par with those available in the city, he added.

He conceded that the number of vehicles has increased and flyovers projects have suffered delays. However, he said the international airport project has been launched. The Government has increased its commitment from Rs. 10 crores to Rs. 25 crores each to the Mangalore, Hassan, Gulbarga and Belgaum airports.

It has got clearance for an industrial cluster in Belgaum, and a special economic zone is coming up in Mangalore, apart from the second international airport, he added. Mr. Sindhia said the Government has also announced five industrial estates around Bangalore, including those at Dobbspet and Doddaballapur, and it is wrong to say the government has failed to take initiatives for the development of the city. Pointing out that exports from the State in 2004-05 have touched Rs. 62,000 crores, of which Rs. 20,000 crores is from IT software exports.

It is unfair for the IT industry to complain about lack of infrastructure before every exhibition for the sector, he added.