Technopark refutes Infosys allegations of non-cooperation

Technopark, India's first technology park promoted by the Kerala government, on Thursday strongly refuted allegations of non-cooperation in building infrastructure for Infosys Ltd. in Technocity, the Phase-4 expansion of Technopark.

In a press release issued here on Thursday, Technopark authorities said the IT park had provided all facilities required to start construction in the acquired land.

"On the request of Infosys, Technopark had handed over 49.84 acres of land, notified as Special Economic Zone (SEZ), on March 27, 2013 for its new campus in Technocity," said P.H. Kurian, principal secretary (IT) for the Kerala government.

Quoting the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Technopark and Infosys in April 2012, he said Infosys should have started construction within a year from the date of the lease deed -- in this case, at least from the date of handing over the possession along with notified SEZ status.

Technopark CEO K.G. Girish Babu said: "Even when Technopark has provided all basic infrastructure facilities required for construction, we haven't received from Infosys the building plans or any explanation on this delay so far. This is a clear violation of the terms and conditions mentioned in the MoU."

The CEO also said Infosys has not replied to a reminder letter sent six months ago.

Infosys had informally indicated its reluctance to set up a new campus within Technocity, but was only keen on expanding its Phase-2 campus, which is under construction near Technopark.

"They promised to create as much employment opportunities in the Phase-2 expansion as offered in the proposed Technocity campus, but never mentioned any dissatisfaction about the infrastructure provided by us," Girish Babu added.

Dismissing Infosys's allegations that the allotted land comprises a temple that would hinder its construction, Girish Babu made it clear that the temple was never under the possession of Technopark and was not included in the tract given to the software company.

"With the excellent relationship running between the top managements of Infosys and Technopark, we do not believe that the corporate would blame us for lack of support.

"The allegations mentioned in the letter are bereft of facts and sound like individual perceptions of the person who wrote the letter, but these need not be a considered corporate view," Girish Babu added.

Technopark has so far invested Rs.5.96 crore for the construction of roads within the proposed Technocity campus, which includes a four-lane road stretching throughout the front of the plot given to Infosys.

As much as Rs.2.73 crores for power infrastructure and Rs.17.87 crores for water supply have also been invested to support construction activities within Technocity.

Further, an amount of Rs.41 crore will be invested for the 11 KV 25 MVA sub-station to meet the power requirements of buildings once they become fully functional.

"There is nothing to prevent Infosys from starting construction work as the 11 KV power supply required for the project office is already available at the site. Having spent Rs.47.54 crore for the land, does anybody think Infosys would have kept quiet if lack of infrastructure was holding their construction plan," Girish Babu asked.