Karnataka's information technology-biotechnology (IT-BT) minister Priyank Kharge said that by the time the Union government releases the promised funds to build the capital city of Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka would have made good on all that it said it would deliver.
"In the Union budget (2024-2025), Andhra Pradesh received ₹15,000 crore to build Amaravati. By the time it reaches Amaravati from Delhi, we would have finished everything," Kharge said at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave last week.
"I know I'm sounding very arrogant, but these are the people (the audience) who are making me arrogant. It's their hard work that has put us here," he said.
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"Having said that, competition is good. It encourages us to do better. The government engages more with companies, corporates and industries, which helps us learn and refine our policies," Kharge said.
He said Karnataka has future-oriented policies, such as a circular economy policy, a state-specific space tech policy, and a GCC or global capability centres policy. "This is because we are in constant dialogue with the industry and are heavily focused on skills," he said.
Priyank said, "Why should I worry about Telangana or Amaravati now, or maybe later? Whenever new investments come in, we provide land, subsidised power tariffs, power, water etc. We are also providing a comprehensive ecosystem—education, research and development, innovation, policy, and skills," Kharge said.
On differences with labour minister Santosh Lad over the Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Draft Bill, 2024, and the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories, and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, Kharge said, "We function as a government together. As a labour minister, it’s his (Lad's) job to protect the interests of his sector. Naturally, many people might have expressed their concerns to him. We’ve discussed the need to generate employment and attract investments. India is a welfare state, and we intend to develop policies in consultation with the industry. We are an economic powerhouse for the nation."
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"We consult with the industry and when concerns arise, we address them. I personally, along with the chief minister and deputy chief minister, have assured that we will work together on this, keeping welfare in mind while ensuring businesses thrive. Employment is generated only if investments come, and employment leads to labour and unions," he said.
On the bill proposing a job quota for locals, Kharge said, “As a minister of Karnataka, my priority is to ensure that as many locals as possible are employed. There is no change in our stance. Andhra Pradesh and Haryana introduced similar bills but faced legal challenges. I assure the industry that no policies will be implemented without consultation. We aim to provide the most skilled workforce, whether for local sectors or global industries. Our intention is clear: we skill locally, we work globally," Kharge said.
Also read: Quitting your job to pursue entrepreneurship? Karnataka to offer Rs 25K a month, says Priyank Kharge
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