Fab City re-run: EADS may walk out of Bangalore

Fab City re-run: EADS may walk out of Bangalore
The Times of India

Bangalore: After Fab City, it’s EADS. Contrary to all expectations, Bangalore, the aerospace capital, is on the verge of losing out on the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company’s (EADS) technology centre and campus. The reason: the state government has not responded to the company’s repeated requests for a few clarifications.

This dithering could prove costly for the government as it has just about a fortnight to rope in EADS. Sources said the company is in a tearing hurry because “a neighbouring state has responded swiftly to each and every query of the company” and met all its requirements.

Sources told The Times of India the company had forwarded three requests to the Karnataka government in the past one month: the first was forwarded exactly a month ago, the second a couple of weeks ago, and the third only last week. There has been no reply from the government.

The company wants these clarifications that would enable it to make a swift decision to set up base. Sources said the state government “does not appear to be one bit serious” about the project.

EADS wants to zero in on the campus location in 15 days. The company has worked out recruitment plans which will take off this month itself and indicated that campus construction could begin as early as February 2007.

A source said: “The picture is very clear for EADS in the neighbourint state, which has made an offer. They just have to walk in. The company is waiting for communication from Karnataka. They could have just walked away, but the fact that they haven’t yet indicates that they may be keen to set up base in Bangalore.

They will wait for a few more days. If something doesn’t come through soon, Karnataka may be out of the race.’’

The company officials have met a minister and senior state government officials, yet there’s no communication. The company will only be forced to forward more requests.

Mr CM, ANSWER THESE
n If the Karnataka government has problems in replying to queries shot by EADS, should it not communicate to the company or make public its stand?

n Why is the Karnataka government unable to communicate when a neighbouring state has cleared all doubts on the very same queries?