Competitors talk about Bengaluru to market themselves: DCM

Bengaluru is matchless to any city

Bengaluru Express

Bengaluru, Oct 15: Lashing out at the critics of Bengaluru, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today said there was no match for Bengaluru and those who criticise Bengaluru do so to market themselves.

“There is no match for Bengaluru in terms of infrastructure, human resource and innovation. Some people take the name of Bengaluru as they need it to market themselves,” the DCM said in response to the comments of Na Ra Lokesh, IT minister of Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, he said, “I will not react to the statements of Na Ra Lokesh or someone else. There are 25 lakh IT professionals and 2 lakh foreigners working in Bengaluru. Bengaluru’s contribution to the country is immense. There is no match for Bengaluru.”

“I know how many foreign leaders contact us to set up businesses in Bengaluru. I speak to the IT minister and Industries minister on a regular basis. Many foreign companies which were working out of rented places are coming forward to buy their own campuses. That is the power of Bengaluru,” he said.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw has been in Bengaluru for the last 25 years
Asked about Kiran Mazumdar Shaw’s post on X about infrastructure of Bengaluru, he said, “She is tarnishing the image of the state and the country by such social media posts. Where was she for the last 25 years? Bengaluru has made the highest contribution to her growth. Those who criticise must remember how much of land the government has given to them to establish the business in Bengaluru.”

Replying to a question on filling up potholes, he said, “We are doing our best. We have now made the IT hub a separate corporation. It has good revenues and it doesn’t have to share it with any other corporation. We are aware of the problems in the area and hence we have taken the decision to form a separate corporation for this region. It can use the revenue of Rs 1500 crore for the development of the wards.”

“Let all companies disclose what they are doing with CSR funds. I am not questioning anyone. If they want to threaten us with their tweets, it is up to them. They are working against the city and the state. We are not China to take up developmental works without worrying about opposition. How many people give away their land for road widening? India is a democracy and we need to follow the due process and limitations. She has to remember where she grew up and where she grew her business. You can’t kick the very ladder that helped you climb,” he added.

Asked about Google AI Hub going to Andhra Pradesh, he said, “How can we stop them from going to Andhra Pradesh. They are going there because they are giving a lot of concession. Let them experience other places too.”

Asked about an investment of Rs 1 lakh crore missing for the state, he said, “Foreign dignitaries keep meeting us to explore investment in the state. No one is leaving Bengaluru. We don’t have to advertise, the inherent strength of Bengaluru attracts investments.”

About Author