Andhra Pradesh Woos Tech Companies Amid Karnataka's Job Quota Controversy

Amid Kannadiga job quota bill concerns, Andhra IT Minister Nara Lokesh invites companies to State

Andhra Pradesh IT, Electronics and Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, extended an open invitation to NASSCOM members to set up shop in the state, following concerns raised on neighbouring Karnataka's proposal to reserve certain jobs for Kannadigas there. The National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) expressed disappointment over the Karnataka State Employment of Local Industries Factories Establishment Act Bill, 2024. The IT industry body observed that the restrictions mandated by this bill "could force companies to relocate as local skilled talent becomes scarce". Amid this backdrop, Lokesh welcomed IT, IT services, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related companies to relocate and expand in Andhra Pradesh. "We understand your disappointment. We welcome you to expand or relocate your businesses to our IT, IT services, AI and data centre cluster at Vizag," he said in a post on social media platform X. Promising best-in-class facilities, the IT minister offered "uninterrupted power, infrastructure and the most suitable skilled talent" with "no restrictions from the government". "Andhra Pradesh is ready to welcome you. Please get in touch!" Lokesh added. Read Comments

Andhra minister invites NASSCOM to Vizag amid Karnataka job quota row, Priyank Kharge hits back | Today News

Andhra minister Nara Lokesh's statement came as the Congress-led Karnataka government embroiled in a controversy over the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024. Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh urged the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) to relocate businesses to Visakhapatnam hours after the latter expressed disappointment over the passage of Karnataka State Employment of Local Industries Factories Establishment Act Bill, 2024. Addressing NASSCOM members, Nara Lokesh posted on X, "We understand your disappointment. We welcome you to expand or relocate your businesses to our IT, IT services, AI and data centre cluster at Vizag." He assured NASSCOM, "We will offer you best-in-class facilities, uninterrupted power, infrastructure and the most suitable skilled talent for your IT enterprise with no restrictions from the Government." "Andhra Pradesh is ready to welcome you. Please get in touch!," Nara Lokesh, the Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resources Development, tweeted Wednesday evening. Lokesh's comments came as the Congress-led Karnataka government embroiled in a controversy over the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024. He posted another message on the social media platform that the Cabinet approved the bill to fix 50 percent reservation for administrative posts and 75 percent for non-administrative posts for Kannadigas in private industries and other organisations. Later on Wednesday evening, Siddaramaiah said the bill intended to implement reservation for Kannadigas in private sector institutions, industries and enterprises is still in the preparation stage. "A final decision will be taken after comprehensive discussion in the next cabinet meeting," he said. Several industry leaders criticised the Bill, saying that it was "discriminatory" and raised apprehensions that the tech industry might suffer. NASSCOM also expressed disappointment and said bill will hamper growth of tech industry and impact jobs. They said the Bill "could force companies to relocate". It also sought urgent meetings for industry reps with state authorities. Addressing NASSCOM, Kharge said, "Dear @nasscom, be rest assured that we will not do anything that will not withstand legal scrutiny. This is your Government and as always we are just a call away. "Karnataka has always excelled in the most sector due to our consistent relationships and consultative approach with industry leaders, advisory bodies, and consortiums in drafting policies and schemes. As with previous initiatives, this draft bill will include recommendations from our industry partners," Priyanka Kharge said. He added, "Our goal is to develop a global workforce using local talent, while also encouraging global investments and creating employment opportunities."

Andhra Pradesh minister's offer for tech companies after Karnataka's job quota for locals move | India News - Times of India

NEW DELHI: The effects of Karnataka job quota bill have begun to spill beyond the state as TDP leader and minister Lokesh Nara invited "disappointed" Nasscom to relocate its enterprise to Andhra Pradesh. Inviting the tech companies to expand or relocate to Andhra, Lokesh Nara said the state government will provide "best-in-class facilities, uninterrupted power, infrastructure and the most suitable skilled talent with no restriction". "Dear NASSCOM members, We understand your disappointment. We welcome you to expand or relocate your businesses to our IT, IT services, AI and data center cluster at Vizag. We will offer you best-in-class facilities, uninterrupted power, infrastructure and the most suitable skilled talent for your IT enterprise with no restrictions from the Government. Andhra Pradesh is ready to welcome you. Please get in touch!" the minister said. Software services industry lobby group Nasscom on Wednesday expressed concerns about the recently drafted Karnataka State Employment of Local Industries Factories Establishment Act Bill, 2024 that caps employment for non-locals in private companies in the state. The group also sought an urgent meeting for industry representatives with state authorities to discuss the concerns and prevent Karnataka's "progress from being derailed", it said in a statement. "Restrictions could force companies to relocate as local skilled talent becomes scarce. In today's highly competitive landscape, knowledge led businesses will locate where talent is as attracting skilled workers is crucial for success," the statement said. The statement from Nasscom said that the technology sector contributes to 25% of Karnataka's gross domestic product and also that the state houses a quarter of India's digital talent with over 11,000 start-ups and 30% of the total global capability centres (GCC). "It's deeply disturbing to see this kind of bill which will not only hamper the growth of the industry, impact jobs and the global brand for the state. Nasscom members are seriously concerned about the provisions of this bill and urge the state government to withdraw the bill," the statement added. The bill proposes that all industries, factories, and other establishments in the state reserve 50% of jobs in managerial roles nad 70% in non-managerial jobs for local candidates. It also stipulates that candidates not possessing a secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language will need to pass a Kannada proficiency test. The TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most."

Come to Vizag, says Andhra IT minister | India News - Times of India

Andhra Pradesh IT, electronics and HRD minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday extended an open invitation to Nasscom members to set up shop in the state following concerns raised on Karnataka's proposal to reserve certain jobs for Kannadigas there. Lokesh welcomed IT, IT services, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and related companies to relocate and expand in Andhra Pradesh. "We understand your disappointment. We welcome you to expand or relocate your businesses to our IT, IT services, AI and data centre cluster at Vizag," he said in a post on X.

Andhra Pradesh rolls out red carpet to NASSCOM

Information Technology Minister N. Lokesh welcomed the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) to expand / relocate the businesses to the IT, IT Services, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Center Cluster in Visakhapatnam by promising to offer the best-in-class facilities, uninterrupted power, infrastructure and skilled talent for the IT enterprises with no restrictions from the government. Mr. Lokesh was responding on July 17 (Wednesday) to a concern raised by the NASSCOM about the passage of the Karnataka State Employment of Local Industries and Factories Establishment Act Bill, 2024, through a message on 'X', wherein he stated that he understood the disappointment and deep concern raised by the apex body of software and service companies, while welcoming them to make Andhra Pradesh their destination. It may be noted that Andhra Pradesh had a similar legislation, namely the AP Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries / Factories Act, 2019, enacted by the previous YSRCP government, which made it mandatory for any industry / factory / joint venture and even projects taken up under the PPP mode to appoint / engage not less 75% of the employment with local candidates, and to train and engage local candidates within three years, if qualified / suitable local candidates were not available, with the active collaboration of the government. The NASSCOM said in a letter tagged by Mr. Lokesh, that the technology sector was contributing 25% of the Karnataka State Domestic Product and restrictions could force the IT and service companies to relocate as local skilled talent becomes scarce. The association observed that knowledge-led businesses would move to places where talent was available as skilled workers were crucial for success and in today's highly competitive landscape, there was a huge shortage of skilled talent globally, and Karnataka was not an exception. Further, the NASSCOM said it was disturbing to see the passage of the Bill by the Karnataka Legislature, saying that it would not only hamper the growth of the industry and impact jobs but also damage Bengaluru's brand image as a global IT hub, and urged the government to withdraw it. The Bill's provisions threaten to reverse the progress achieved so far, drive away companies and stifle start-ups, especially when global firms are looking to invest in the State. Read Comments

Andhra Pradesh govt woos industrialists as Karnataka bill on local quota causes dismay

Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh has offered "best-in-class facilities" to industrialists in Karnataka, addressing concerns over a bill mandating a certain percentage of quota to local candidates in private companies. The state is offering IT, IT services, AI, and data center clusters at Vizag, offering uninterrupted power, infrastructure, and suitable skilled talent for IT enterprises. As the Karnataka bill mandating a certain percentage of quota to local candidates in private companies caused concern among industrialists, Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh on Saturday rolled out a red carpet for them, offering "best-in-class facilities." "We understand your disappointment. We welcome you to expand or relocate your businesses to our IT, IT services, AI and data center cluster at Vizag," Lokesh said in a post on X. "We will offer you best-in-class facilities, uninterrupted power, infrastructure, and the most suitable skilled talent for your IT enterprise with no restrictions from the government. Andhra Pradesh is ready to welcome you. Please get in touch!," he added. Meanwhile, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah said on Wednesday that the bill enforcing 50 per cent reservation for administrative posts and 75 per cent for non-administrative posts for Kannadigas in private sector organizations, industries and enterprises has been temporarily put on hold. The decision came after several investors raised concerns over the provisions in the bill. Als0 Read: What is Karnataka's Job Reservation Bill for Kannadigas? How will it affect the companies? Expressing disappointment over the bill, the tech industry's apex lobby group, the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) said that restrictions could force companies to relocate as local skilled talent becomes scarce. "NASSCOM & its members are disappointed and express deep concern regarding the passage of the Karnataka State Employment of Local Industries Factories Establishment Act Bill, 2024. "Tech sector contributes to 25% of the state GDP, houses a quarter of the country's digital talent, over 11,000 start-ups, and 30% of the total GCCs. Restrictions could force companies to relocate as local skilled talent becomes scarce," NASSCOM said in a statement. Businessman and philanthropist TV Mohandas Pai said, "If you want to promote Kannadigas for jobs, spend more money on higher education. Give training to them. Spend more money on skill development. Spend more money on internships, spend more money on apprenticeship programs. So they all became skilled. Not like this. What are you trying to achieve by doing this?" According to chief minister Siddaramaiah the bill will be revisited and decided upon in the coming days. "The bill approved by the cabinet to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private sector organizations, industries and enterprises has been temporarily put on hold. This will be revisited and decided in the coming days," Siddaramaiah posted on X. The CM said in another post on X: "The draft bill intended to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private sector companies, industries, and enterprises is still in the preparation stage. A comprehensive discussion will be held in the next cabinet meeting to make a final decision."