IT cos mull boycotting premier event

Frustrated over infrastructure

The saga of lack of infrastructure in Bangalore is set to take a further turn for the worse.

A clutch of high-profile IT companies, informally calling themselves The Bangalore Forum for Information Technology, is set to boycott the forthcoming Bangalore IT.COM 2004, scheduled during November 1-5, 2004.

Companies such as Philips, Texas Instruments, Motorola, HP, Novell, Sasken, Talisma and Bosch Software which make up the forum are mulling this move to vent their ire against the government's lack of commitment to improving the city's infrastructure.

Though none of the companies is willing to comment on this issue, it is learnt that these companies have more or less decided to boycott the state's showpiece annual IT event. The companies are also seeking to rally other IT firms behind them so as to send a truly strong message to the Government of Karnataka.

Said a senior official at one of these firms: "The government is apathetic. We are not. We need to definitely show our displeasure about how the government is going about on this crucial issue of infrastructure. Recently IIM-B students and the corporates around the Bannerghata Road took to the roads to make this point. Every time promises come from the government, but no concrete action is seen. As a sign of not being happy with the government's stance, we intend to boycott Bangalore IT.COM 2004."

Bangalore IT.COM has been the main event around which the Karnataka Government has been showcasing its facilities to prospective investors over the last few years in an effort to attract investment into the State.

Added the official: "When the state government cannot keep people already present in the state happy, what is the use of going around and asking other corporations to invest in the city?"

Recently, Karnataka chief minister Dharam Singh met IT companies CEOs to listen to their problems and promised much needed relief on the issue of infrastructure. The official hoped that a move such as boycotting this annual event will send out a proper message to the concerned authorities and they will implement some serious measures in the immediate future.

"We will wait and see what is the response from the Government on our move and review our decision based on that," the official noted.