Bengaluru, Apr 17: The Karnataka government on Friday asked Information Technology, biotechnology and allied companies not to go for closure or layoffs citing lack of work orders due to COVID-19 lockdown and instead consider measures like cutting salaries among other things.
It said IT/BT companies in the state can resume operations with 50 per cent from their office space after April 20.
Deputy chief minister C N Ashwath Narayan, who is also in charge of IT & BT department, held video consultation with the captains of the industry in light of the disruption caused due to the lockdown, and discussed on the way forward - both for effective implementation of the lockdown as well as the future course to deal with the unique circumstances.
"Immediately we are going to permit 50 per cent, but it doesn't mean that they will be able to mobilise 50 per cent immediately. It will take few weeks for them to do so. Gradually percentage will increase and it will start getting back to normalcy," Ashwath Narayan told reporters.
Stating that there were discussions regarding layoffs, he said, companies should not go for layoffs, instead of that gradation or deduction in the salary should be taken up, so that it doesn't affect the functioning of companies also that are facing less orders.
"On handling such financial crisis they (industry) wanted government consideration with mutual cooperation and understanding the concerns," he added.
Pointing out that concerns were also expressed regarding measures or protocol that needs to be followed if any positive cases are reported in any of the office spaces, Ashwath Narayan said, certain guidelines will be issued in consultation with the Health Department.
"Once the relaxation is given this may become the usual phenomena, as cases will be reported here and there... so in that scenario how we need to work and handle the situation is important, so we will be working on protocols how to handle the situation. So far we have planned for residential areas and not for work spaces," he said.
The deputy chief minister said the IT and BT industry leaders are extremely happy with regard to the support system or backup given by the government of Karnataka, particularly IT/BT department.
Even during this crisis period in the entire world, Karnataka and Bengaluru were able to get a good reputation and become reliable partner, as IT/BT service providers in both the city and the state were able to provide excellent quality services to their clients without any interruption, he said.
If you compare with any state or country, we have done extremely well, and hope that this would get more business, he added.
Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, who is also the Chairman of Vision Group IT, were among others present at the video conferencing.
Noting that concerns expressed by the industry regarding passes for employees to commute to office, Ashwath Narayan said, the government would make necessary arrangements in this regard, considering measures that need to be taken after April 20.
Regarding providing transport facility, they can seek for services from public transport Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on a contract basis, he said, adding that "We will be ready to facilitate BMTC."
The minister said the industry leaders wanted internet services to continue with the same quality and without any interruption.
Comments
Kirann....you mean to say whoever speaks against any religion to be beaten?
Does it apply to people like kalladka and a guy from pumpwell?
@ Kiran
Very Funny comment by brother Kiran....Brother As you said this cleric speaking against Hindus in the Masjid..Brother what about Prabhakar Bhat,Shakshi Maharaj,Thogadia,Muthaliq,Pumpwel,Sathyajeeth Surathkal,all are speaking Publicly against
what your saying by showing Elder women in photo # 5 ?
Karanataka government, now this is the right time for you to ban bajrangdal.....no one should be allowed to take law in their hands....if they got any issues with moulana, complain it to police...not unnecessary beating in the public...we are not living in jungle raj....
Kiran......that means we can beat anyone who speaks against any religion................we have a list of fanatics like Togadia...katiyar...kamalesh...etc
put them behind the bar for lifetime, goonda act should claim on them.
i dont think so that bajrangdal attacked, look at the property damaged,
very worst place in padil area, faizalnagara, veeranagar, nobody likes to purchase property there. worst people leaving there
Whatever these devils agent do .. They will never succeed.. The Zionist with the help of their masters doing hatred job since long time and they are not able to keep the muslims and Islam in the corner.. RSS & BD are jujubi who are following the zionist deceivers...
Muslims are not worried about this attacks. Fear yourself when Cheddis will kill you guys after all this just like Prashanth...
If U did not study ISLAM ... Dont take panga...its a Waste. and YOU are fools who bring their own destruction and becoming scape goat to the cheddi Gandhi killers...
BD members should help many Dalit research scholar instead of creating a menace in the society.
simply blame on bajrangdal, look at the property damaged by PFI people.
Is it not intolerance.
if not then what else is it.
Where is the media, which does not show it to whole India what has been happening, while blaming Aamir and Sharukh.
British rule was much better than the present name-sake independent India
Simply making non sense in the society.
resident of padil : i know this cleric always speaking against hindus in the masjid thats why he is beaten.
dont know why this people are fighting like this.
AB KI BAARRRR MADHI SARKAARR.....
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