IT firms unaffected as North-East people flee Bangalore

IT companies based in Bangalore said their employees were not affected even as thousands of people from the North-East left the IT hub of India.

When contacted Infosys, and Mindtree said it was business as usual. “Work was as usual. All employees are safe and no one has gone back home,” said Srinivasa Kandula, HR head, iGATE.

Recently, addressing a CII event, T.V. Mohandas Pai, former Infosys director and Chairman, Manipal Universal Learning, said that Karnataka has about six lakh employees working in the IT sector.

“As a vibrant cosmopolitan and knowledge hub, Bangalore accounts for 60 per cent of the State GDP, he said.

The city has a sizeable number of students from the North-East studying in Bangalore, though those working in the IT sector are considerably fewer, according to IT sector watchers.

in wait & watch mode

Som Mittal, President, Nasscom, told Business Line: “The issue is largely around students right now. Both Central and State Governments should ensure their safety. Bangalore is a metropolitan city and has always welcomed people from all States. Right now, we are keeping a watch on it, on the safety of working people. It is also the responsibility of the citizens to keep calm and peace.”

According to State Government estimates, there are more than 183 engineering colleges in Karnataka. People from the North-East are reportedly leaving Bangalore following rumours that they would be targeted.

(with inputs from Ronendra Singh in New Delhi)

Venkatesh.ganesh@thehindu.co.in

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