Phaneesh's sacking right decision: Nasscom

Says 'quick and decisive' action augurs well for the IT industry

Nasscom Chairman Krishnakumar Natarajan today said iGate board has taken a right decision to sack its President and CEO Phaneesh Murthy over alleged sexual harassment, emphasising that a "quick and decisive" action in such incidents augurs well for the IT industry.

"A right decision has been taken. I think the decision reflects what IT industry stands for. It stands for the highest standards of governance and integrity," Natarajan told reporters on the sidelines of a Nasscom event here.

Natarajan said the board seems to have done a fairly thorough due deligence before taking the action.

"It is a very isolated incident and has no bearing in terms of what implications it has on Indian IT industry," he said.

iGate Corp today sacked its Chief Executive Phaneesh Murthy for not disclosing a relationship with a subordinate and alleged sexual harassment.

The Indian IT industry has always stood by the highest standards of governance and integrity, Natarajan added.

A quick and decisive action taken in such an isolated incident, irrespective of who the person is, augurs well for the industry, Natarajan said. "I do strongly believe that this industry wants to walk the talk," he added.

"In the recent past, I have visited several cities across India and conducted one-day workshops on sexual harassment because most companies have 30-40% women employees. So these are fundamental infrastructure we need to create," Natarajan said.

Nasscom as an industry body demands from members the highest standards of corporate governance, Natarajan said.

Asked how Nasscom would act against an Indian IT company involved in such isolated incidents, Natarajan said, "We do not interfere in the internal affairs of the companies but certainly we expect them to act, irrespective of Indian company or a multi-national company."