IT’s truce, but terms apply

IT’s truce, but terms apply
Deccan Herald

While the BFIT has agreed to support a government session on City’s infrastructure, the BCIC’s decision on its participation in IT.In is still pending.

Finally, the Bangalore Forum for Information Technology (BFIT), the first IT association to threaten a boycott of IT.In, has declared a truce. However, this agreement comes on its own terms: It has agreed to support IT.In, but its participation would be in the nature of anchoring and sponsoring a session, if held by the government, on improving Bangalore’s infrastructure.

This announcement, made on Friday, came following the government’s assurance that the City’s infrastructural needs would be looked into, at the third empowered meeting held between the government and the IT associations, on Thursday. BFIT member and CEO of Philips Innovation Dr Bob Hoekstra said the decision was taken after receiving positive signals from the government. “Our boycott was a means to draw the attention of the government to the infrastructure woes of Bangalore that affect all sections of citizens in the City. We are happy that the government has now communicated its intent to address these issues and has sent some positive signals by announcing time-bound plans. We will support IT.In by sponsoring the session on infrastructure. We will actively encourage our members to participate in next year’s event if the plans are implemented.”

Convenor of BFIT C N Kumar said their participation is a clear signal that the IT lobby is not anti-government. “This measure clearly shows that the IT companies are willing to support government initiatives. One of the nagging issues for investors world over is Bangalore’s infrastructure. Investor confidence will, no doubt, perk up if government proactively provides a platform to discuss issues and come up with solutions to improve the physical infrastructure,” Mr Kumar said.

Meanwhile, the final decision of the Bangalore Chamber of Industries and Commerce (BCIC) regarding its participation in IT.In is still pending. BCIC President Anant Koppar told Deccan Herald that the executive-level meeting is likely to be held on Saturday or Sunday. “We’ve not held any consultation with our members yet, but we will discuss the government’s proposal in a day or two,” Mr Koppar said.

‘Give jobs to Kannadigas’

Bangalore, DHNS: Even after the IT firms rejected the proposal of reserving jobs to Kannadigas, Chief Minister N Dharam Singh on Friday said he would still request the IT firms to provide employment to Kannadigas on priority wherever it was possible.

The IT firms had on Thursday rejected the Kannadiga quota saying their recruitments were based only on merit. However, speaking to reporters at his Home Office ‘Krishna’ in Bangalore on Friday, the chief minister said he would endorse the stand of his deputy M P Prakash that IT firms should provide employment to Kannadigas on priority. He said he would make such a plea to the representatives of IT industry at his proposed meeting with them on September 20.