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

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. (File Image)

TDP MLA Nara Lokesh was quick to point out that Andhra Pradesh is "ready" with the "most suitable skilled talent for your IT enterprise with no restrictions from the Government"

Amid row over the Karnataka government’s move mandating 100 per cent reservation to Kannadigas and Nasscom raising concerns over the decision, general secretary of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Nara Lokesh welcomed IT firms to “relocate businesses” in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizag. The TDP MLA was quick to point out that Andhra Pradesh is “ready” with the “most suitable skilled talent for your IT enterprise 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.

A minister in the Andhra government, 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.