IT event faces washout as chamber joins boycott call

The Karnataka government's apathy towards Bangalore's infrastructure is taking a toll on the state's forthcoming IT exhibition - Bangalore IT.in 2005.

After a group of around 20 companies under the Bangalore Forum for IT decided to pull out of this premier event, it is now the turn of Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) to join the 'boycott' chorus.

According to a statement released by this state-focused industry body, which has a membership of 450 firms including 135 from the IT and the ITeS segments, this stand has been taken in view of the government's apathy towards infrastructure woes - particularly traffic congestion, power shortage and airport facilities.

Said Anant Koppar, president, BCIC: "Companies are rightly concerned. Last year the government promised adequate measures to address these issues."

"But," he said, "the promise turned out to be hollow. Consider the last one year - infrastructure services have been deteriorating in and around Bangalore."

"Our intention is not to disrupt the event, which has consistently seen our support, participation and sponsorship in the last few years. The situation that prevails today is real and intense, and certainly demands drastic measures, or we stand to lose big time," Koppar said.

Koppar said there would be a slowdown in investments flowing into Bangalore due to this lack of concern.

"This neglect is not just affecting the IT industry pace, but it is also affecting all industries and, more severely, the society," he added.