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
BJP's cheap politics!!! They don't have any issue to raise against Mr. Siddaramaiyya government and to cover up Mr Yeddy verses Eeshwarsppa fighting,
Dear All, you wont become anti national if you speak in favor of Pakistan, nor if you speak against India in BJP ruled nation. It is only when you speak or share your views anything against our central government views, then you are labelled here as Anti National. That is what the Bjp or RSS wants Indians to be, literally these are SICK
IGNORE KARO !!!
Our Little dumb girl Geeta crossed Pakistan border and spend a good life for about 20 years in Eddi's ashram as he look after her as his own daughter. Still she was not converted to Islam ; finally Eddy bought her to India , when the government of BJP offered him 1 crores of rupees he politely refused the money. What a great man he is . . He is a Pakistani. We salute him. likewise there are crores of people in Pakistan are good and some people are their very bad (killing innocents in road, mosque, and schools).
So what Ramya said here???/ She said the people are good and Pakistan is not hell.
If Pakistan is a hell ,,, then how those people who were visited recently there not burned to death???? including Sushmaji, Modi and Rajnath????
Whatever Modiji did was good. He has followed Vajpayeeji.
In Pakistan there are terrorist groups which cannot be controlled by the Pak government; every time they kill hundreds of innocents .
No the most poisonous creatures of India like VHP , BJP etc. Sangha Pariwar's has no work to do simply they behind now Ramya.
BJP's achievement......
Modi's visit cunningly to Pakistan without invitiation....did anyone lodge sedition charge against him....this is called double speaking...
these ABVP and BJP kind of terrorist groups do not have any job to do...just want to create uneasiness and unpleasant condition around...
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