'Andhra Ready To Welcome You': Nara Lokesh Makes A Relocation Offer To IT Firms Amid Karnataka Quota Row

Andhra Pradesh minister and TDP leader Nara Lokesh on Wednesday invited IT firms to “relocate businesses” to Visakhapatnam.

Lokesh’s comments follow the Karnataka government’s decision to mandate a 100% quota for locals in select private jobs, which faced a huge backlash and was put on hold a day later, with the government stating it will be “revisited and decided in the coming days”.

In a social media post on ‘X’, the TDP MLA quickly pointed out that Andhra Pradesh is “ready” with the “most suitable skilled talent with no restrictions from the government”.

“Dear @NASSCOM members, we understand your disappointment. We welcome you to expand or relocate your businesses to our IT, IT services, AI and data center cluster at Vizag. We will offer you best-in-class facilities, uninterrupted power, infrastructure and the most suitable skilled talent for your IT enterprise with no restrictions from the Government. Andhra Pradesh is ready to welcome you. Please get in touch!” the Mangalagiri MLA wrote in an X post.

Nara Lokesh’s remarks came after Nasscom on Wednesday raised concerns over the Karnataka Bill on 100% private sector employment reservation for Kannadigas in Group C and D jobs, which has been cleared by the state’s Cabinet, saying could hamper the growth of the industry, impact jobs, and force companies to relocate.

Earlier in the day, the Karnataka cabinet approved a bill mandating 100 per cent reservation to Kannadigas, or local residents, for C and D grade posts in private industries. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who made the announcement in a social media post, deleted it after severe criticism from IT firms.

Former Infosys CFO TV Mohandas Pai termed it “very regressive, unnecessary, draconian, unconstitutional and illegal bill”. He also pointed out that the bill “discriminates under Article 19”.

“I think it is a very regressive, unnecessary, draconian, unconstitutional, illegal bill. It is illegal because it discriminates under Article 19. The Haryana government tried to do something but the High Court struck down saying that it is not reasonable. Secondly, look at the definition of ‘local’. A local is a person who was born here, been here for over 15 years and can speak, read, and write in Kannada. The evidence of speaking, reading and writing is through the school leaving certificate. If I don’t have that and I apply for a job… I will be considered non-local,” Mohandas Pai said.