HDK softens stand on IT, BT

HDK softens stand on IT, BT
Deccan Herald

“Give me 15 months and I assure you that the present difficulties faced by Bangaloreans like traffic congestion, bad roads will be a thing of the past”, Chief Minister H D Kumaaraswamy said.

A day after he trained his guns on IT and BT industry, Chief Minister H D Kumaaraswamy on Monday softened his stand on the issue and declared that he had only referred to the divide created between the rich and poor due to globalisation and was never against the two sectors.

Speaking at a seminar on “Vibrant Karnataka: Achieving Dr Kalam’s vision by 2012” organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), the chief minister said his government was for the progress of the IT and BT industry and was well aware that these sectors had given Bangalore a global recognition.

“Why should I antagonise these sectors when they are also helping our economy. What I meant on Sunday was that the government along with the problems faced by the IT and BT industry was equally concerned about the needs of the poor in Bangalore”, Mr Kumaaraswamy said.

He expressed similar views after inaugurating a new building of a government school in Agara in the outskirts of Bangalore

.“There is no need for the IT and BT industries to have any apprehensions. My government is committed to protect the interests of investors and also provide the required infrastructure facilities to them,” he added.

The chief minister said he had only tried to draw the attention of the general public on the difficult conditions in which poor people lived on the outskirts of Bangalore.

“When we introspect about the ongoing debate which is confined to the importance being given to only one sector, we feel that we should also discuss the problems of poor people.

Equality

My desire is to give equal priority for all sections of the society,” he said

He said that his government was committed to the development of Bangalore City and the people would see the difference in governance soon. “Give me 15 months and I assure you that the present difficulties faced by Bangaloreans like traffic congestion, bad roads will be a thing of the past”, he said.

11-point agenda

In his address, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who also holds the finance portfolio, said the government would implement the 11-point agenda envisaged by President A P J Abdul Kalam for the overall development of the state during his Suvarna Karnataka anniversary address to the joint session of legislature.

Mr Yediyurappa said higher allocation would be made to the sectors referred by Mr Kalam-- textile, energy, horticulture, agro-processing, water management, tourism - in the budget. A high-level committee headed by the chief minister had already been constituted to draw a roadmap to implement Mr Kalam’s vision, he said.