Infosys gets flak in Karnataka assembly for failing to generate employment at Hubballi campus

Infosys

Bengaluru-based software giant Infosys faced flak in the Karnataka assembly on February 13 for not creating any jobs at its Hubballi campus.

Arvind Bellad, deputy leader of the opposition and BJP leader, called on the government to revoke the 58 acres of land allocated to Infosys in Hubballi due to their failure to generate employment.

During a discussion on local employment opportunities at industrial establishments in the session, Bellad, representing Hubballi-Dharwad (West), said, "Infosys took 58 acres in an industrial estate in my constituency but has not created a single job, only engaging in gardening and landscaping."

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He said that Infosys received land at a discounted rate of Rs 35 lakh per acre, compared to its actual value of Rs 1.5 crore. "I convinced farmers to part with their lands with the assurance that their children would secure jobs, and also to withdraw court cases. There should be some penalty on the firm."

IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge suggested that incentives could be withdrawn in such cases.

Bellad also expressed concern about the lack of job opportunities for locals at Hubballi Airport operated by the Airports Authority of India.

Infosys was not immediately available for a comment.

Karnataka Industries Minister MB Patil assured that he would investigate the issue, stating, "If no progress has been made after land acquisition, we will issue notices and take action."

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He also said the government's commitment to ensuring jobs for those who relinquish land at Taiwanese giant Foxconn's plant in Doddaballapur.