Reclaim The Land Given To Infosys: BJP Leader Bellad Tells Karnataka Govt

BJP leader Arvind Bellad has attacked Infosys for failing to create jobs in Hubballi despite getting land from the state government at a subsidised rate.

The MLA from Hubli-Dharwad West constituency urged the statement government to reclaim the land given to the software company. He said, "Infosys Hubli was granted 58 acres of land which is in my constituency with the aim of fostering employment for the entire North Karnataka region, yet it has failed to deliver on job creation. As a representative, I can't face the farmers I pacified anymore. It's time for Infosys to face the consequences and for the government to reclaim the land that's rightfully ours."

He was speaking in the Karnataka Assembly during the budget session.

The BJP leader claimed that the software giant was allocated land at a significantly reduced rate of Rs 35 lakh per acre, well below its market value of Rs 1.5 crore. Calling for action against the software company, Bellad voiced apprehensions about persuading farmers to sell their lands, promising job security for their children. He further added that he had persuaded the farmers to retract their legal actions.

Responding to Bellad's concerns, Karnataka's industries minister MB Patil said that he would investigate the issue.

"If any company has taken land at the subsidised rate, they have received a government incentive. In such a case, the company should provide jobs to those who have lost their lands, according to the educational qualifications of the family members. If the company doesn't do it, we will withdraw the incentives and can also take back the land given," he said.

He stated that the government is committed to preventing the misuse of incentives and ensuring that land grants are used for their designated purposes. Non-compliance will be met with stringent consequences, he added.

"We will look into all such cases as to what legal action can be taken. More than just giving them a penalty withdrawing the benefit would be a stricter action. If the company has not given jobs after taking the incentive, we will issue notices as the earliest and go ahead with further action," Patil stated.

"Under the Industrial Policy 2020-25, companies receiving incentives from the government must provide 100% Group D jobs and an overall 70% jobs to Kannadigas. Be it Infosys or any company, if people who lost land aren't given jobs based on their educational qualifications, we can withdraw incentives. We can also withdraw the land in stringent action," added the minister.

However, Infosys has not given its response to the BJP leader's comments.