Don’t go, IT firms urged

Don’t go, IT firms urged
Deccan Herald

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday appealed to IT firms and industrialists not to move out of Karnataka and vowed to make a turnaround in Bangalore infrastructure.....

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday appealed to IT firms and industrialists not to move out of Karnataka and vowed to make a turnaround in Bangalore infrastructure. “Within three months, I will ensure smooth flow of traffic and upgrade Bangalore roads,” Mr. Kumaraswamy declared at a hurriedly convened press conference in Bangalore in the wake of software firm Siemens deciding to set up an expansion unit outside Karnataka.

The officials concerned have been directed to come out with an action plan for the comprehensive development of city infrastructure and easing of traffic within a week, the chief minister said. The road improvement work will begin soon after the preparation of the action plan.

Perform or quit

The chief minister said he would crack the whip on lethargic officials and asked them to “perform or quit.” He said he would take up surprise inspection of roadworks to check if the projects were properly implemented. “I will not even use a government vehicle for my surprise visits so that nobody comes to know about my visits. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against any erring official caught during such visits,” he warned. “We will not just sit in the Vidhana Soudha but we will go to the field and ensure our decisions are implemented.”

The chief minister cautioned the contractors against hindering implementation of development works for political reasons. “I will never compromise on such a thing,” he said.

I will go to any extent to curb such a practice,” Mr. Kumaraswamy said when it was brought to his notice that no contractor had come forward to take up road improvement works of Bangalore Mahanagara Palike.

Mr Kumaraswamy declined to attribute political motives to the announcements made by industries. At the same time, he said the Central government was yet to allocate the Rs 500-crore aid announced by it for the development of Bangalore infrastructure and the financial aid for repairing the city roads damaged in the heavy rains last year.

However, the state government will not make an issue out of it but prove its worth by making a turnaround, he said.