Amid concerns over Karnataka's bill on reservation for locals in private firms, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday offered an open invitation to software body NASSCOM to expand and ꧑relocate in Visakhapatnam.
Earlier in the day, the National Associa𒉰tion of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) had expressed concerns over the Karnataka State Employment of Local Industries Factories Establishment Act Bill, 2024, urging the state government to withdraw it.
NASSCOM observed that such restrictions mandateꦚd by the bill could "force companies to relocate as local skilled talent becomes scarce".
"The bill's provisions threaten to reverse 🌳this progress, drive away companies, and stifle startups, especially when more global firms (GCCs) are looking to invest in the state," the IT industr🉐y body said in a release.
Lokesh responded to NASSCOM's letter on X and said, "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 that the Andhra Pradesh governmeꦕnt, without any restrictions, will offer them the "best-in-class facilities, uninterrupted power, infrastructure and the most suitable skilled talent for your IT enterprise".
"Andhra Pradesh is ready to welcome you. Please get🦩 in touch!" the Minister said in his X post.
Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge responded to🔯 Lokesh, saying that the state government's goal is to "develop a global workforce using local talent, while also encouraging global investments and creating employment opportunities".
"By th♊e way, wouldn’t you also like to ensure that every company invested in Andhra Pradesh employs deserving, trained and skilled individuals from Andhra Pradesh?" Kharge asked Lokesh.
The Karnataka Minister also reassured NASSCO🌠M that the government will not do withstand any legal scrutiny, adding that this will always be "your Government and as always we ar𒀰e just a call away".
The Karnataka State Employment of Local Can🐎didates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024 was cleared by the state Cabinet on Monday and was expected to be tabled in the Assembly on Th💙ursday.
However, following massive backlash fro🥃m several private firms, the bill has been put on hold.
The bill, approved by the Siddaramaiah-led government, provides 5⛄0 per cent reservation for local candidates in management categories and 70 per cent in non-management categories in any industry, factory or other e♒stablishments.
Thಌe bill makes it mandatory for private firms to reserve jobs for Kannadigas.
