Infosys lays down terms for Assam foray

Chairman and chief mentor of Infosys Technologies Limited, N R Narayana Murthy, strictly meant business on his second visit to the state when he roughly spelt out the prospects of Infosys venturing into the state.

He outlined certain pre-conditions like good air connectivity, setting up of five-star hotels and a good number of English medium schools in the state had to be fulfilled to facilitate the foray of Infosys into the state. Chief minister Tarun Gogoi on his part assured the Infosys chairman that the government "will provide all necessary things to Infosys for putting up a unit in the state".

Stating that Assam and the region are "poised for tremendous growth", Murthy said, "We (corporate leaders) will do what ever little we can do for the development of this region".

Murthy held discussions with the chief minister and the IT minister of the state on his visit.

Issues ranging from good connectivity and hotel industry to IT industry and manpower were discussed in the meeting. Gogoi said the government was keen on the development of the IT industry.

"We have created a very positive impression that India is a country that can find solution (pertaining to IT) to most of the complex problems", said Murthy. Murthy attributed the changing economic scenario in the country to the economic reforms started in 1991.

"Also let us make sure that there are no restrictions for an honest businessmen", said Murthy.

"If we have to solve the problem of poverty, then there is no alternative other than entrepreneurship, and for that there should be incentive for entrepreneurs to succeed", he said.