Infosys seeks ‘alterative solution’ for Bengal campus
February 29th, 2012 - 8:13 pm ICT by IANS
Kolkata, Feb 29 (IANS) After West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ruled out according special economic zone (SEZ) status to Infosy’s Kolkata campus, the IT bellwether Wednesday sought a meeting with her and said it is looking for an “alternative solution”.
“Probably we have to jointly find out the solution to this. And we are looking at it to find out an alternative solution. The state of West Bengal certainly wants Infosys to be here. And our intension is also to be here and that is why we did all the investments,” Binod Hampapur, senior vice-president and global head of commercial and corporate relations, told reporters after a meeting with state Industry Minister Partha Chatterjee at the Secretariat here.
“We are looking forward to a fruitful solution…it will take sometime,” Hampapur said.
He, however, said the IT major will surely consider financial viability of the proposed campus in the city.
“Obviously, wherever we operate, that should be financially viable for us. We are looking at that,” he stated.
The company sought a meeting with the chief minister to solve the issue after Banerjee Monday ruled out alloting SEZ status to its Kolkata unit, saying Trinamool Congress was in principle opposed to creation of SEZs.
“We are against setting up of SEZs. We will remain firm on our stand. We are against forceful land acquisition. We want Infosys to establish its facility in the state. We will help them in all possible ways but I cannot call it SEZ,” she had said in an interview telecast on three Bengali news channels.
The company was given 50-acres of land at Rajarhat for setting up its first unit in the state.
Chatterjee, after Wednesday’s meeting, said both the government and the IT major have decided to move forward the discussions “in a meaningful manner and reaching for a solution”.
“They have requested for a meeting with the chief minister and I will also communicate this to her. She is now travelling to Darjeeling and when she comes back I certainly fix up the date,” the minister said.
- Want Infosys in Bengal, but won't bend rules: Mamata - Mar 12, 2012
- Bengal minister meets Infosys top brass on stalled project - Sep 07, 2012
- Bengal against SEZs, minister tells Infosys - Feb 20, 2012
- We can't change our anti-SEZ stand: Mamata - Apr 27, 2012
- Mamata rules out SEZ for Infosys - Feb 27, 2012
- All help for facility but no SEZ, Bengal tells Infosys - Feb 25, 2012
- Bengal government awaiting response on concessions to Infosys - Jun 20, 2012
- Wipro to expand Kolkata project - Aug 27, 2012
- Buddhadeb hits out at Trinamool over Infosys imbroglio - Aug 05, 2012
- Infosys to set up second campus in Thiruvananthapuram - Apr 04, 2012
- I am hopeful about Infosys Kolkata project: Narayan Murthy - Aug 03, 2012
- West Bengal government to provide land for industries - Jun 12, 2012
- At Birla marriage anniversary, Mamata talks business - Apr 29, 2012
- Pranab to meet Mamata to discuss financial situation - May 28, 2011
- Infosys inks deal with West Bengal for 50-acre campus - Nov 23, 2010
Tags: alternative solution, bellwether, bengali news, chatterjee, chief minister, feb 29, financial viability, global head, industry minister, intension, land acquisition, mamata, meaningful manner, news channels, rajarhat, senior vice president, sezs, special economic zone, state of west bengal, trinamool congress