‘It’s not IT, it’s all for a better Bangalore!’

‘It’s not IT, it’s all for a better Bangalore!’
Deccan Herald

IT honchos are incensed that outrage against B’lore’s crumbling infrastructure is seen as ‘politics’.

Chief Minister N Dharam Singh’s statement that the recent withdrawal of some IT companies from IT.In was part of a ‘political propaganda’, seems to have exasperated the IT.In rebels. A political hue to “Bangaloreans’ fight for infrastructure” was least expected, and least wanted, point out IT chiefs, even as they remain adamant on their stand not to participate in IT.In.

“It is not about IT, and it is definitely not about politics,” says Bangalore Forum for Information Technology member C N Kumar. “We are not affiliated to any political party, nor are we doing this at the instigation of any politician. We are doing this for Bangaloreans,” Mr Kumar stresses.

Managing Director of Synopsis India Pradip Dutta agrees, explaining that he opted out of IT.In for the sake of his employees who commute on pot-holed roads everyday. “One of my employees has met with an accident for the third time in the last one month. I am fighting for him, and others like him, and not for the Congress, BJP, JD (S) or any other party,” Dutta says.

In fact, the vast network opportunity that IT.In provides is being seen as a stumbling block by Dutta, who feels “it is irresponsible to bring any more companies into Bangalore.”

“We need to clear the mess before we invite other companies to invest or open shop here. The city’s infrastructure is not equipped to handle any influx. We need to fix that,” Dutta adds.

As for Chief Minister’s assertion that the Government has initiated infrastructure projects like the Bangalore Metro and International Airport, Bangalore Chamber of Industries and Commerce (BCIC) Secretary Sampath says he would rather choose “the here and now” over long-term plans. “Long term infrastructure projects will not change the present woes. The situation has been rapidly deteriorating, and this demands urgent attention of the Government,” says Sampath.