Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has hit back at Karnataka ministers after they took a swipe at her for flagging Bengaluru’s worsening civic woes, saying government ministers should be held accountable for shoddy and delayed work.
Her response came after Minister Santosh Lad questioned whether she would also criticise the Union government over issues like GST. “Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw spoke out against the pothole issue in Bengaluru. We will work on it. Will she post against the Union govt too on issues like GST?” he said.
In a sharp reply on X, Mazumdar-Shaw wrote: “All I am seeking is garbage clearance and road resurfacing, which ought to be done by the GBA. Govt ministers need to hold them responsible and accountable for shoddy and slow work. Here, govt and citizens need to be on the same page. If the garbage mafia is not doing its job, then we (must act).”
In another post, she added, “We are in this dire situation because of past govts’ failure to act in time. This government has the opportunity to change this and act fast to fix decades of deteriorating infrastructure and garbage management.”
The exchange follows Mazumdar-Shaw’s earlier viral post on Bengaluru’s infrastructure, where she quoted an overseas visitor’s remark during a visit to Biocon Park:
“Why are the roads so bad and why is there so much garbage around? Doesn’t the government want to support investment? I have just come from China and can’t understand why India can’t get its act together, especially when the winds are favourable?”
Her comments triggered a wave of reactions from senior Congress ministers. IT Minister Priyank Kharge said he wasn’t sure “which part of Bengaluru” she had seen, insisting that “work is in progress.” Industries Minister MB Patil called her criticism “not in good taste,” arguing that “thousands of crores have been allocated and work is ongoing.”
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar took a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging her concern and urging collective action. He said Bengaluru’s civic infrastructure was being strengthened through major projects under the Greater Bengaluru Authority, adding that “the world sees India through Bengaluru, and we owe it to our city to rise united.”
Replying to Shivakumar’s post, Mazumdar-Shaw said: “I agree with you, it’s a collective effort with a mindset of urgency and quality. Let’s show everyone how we can fix our city.”
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