Infosys seeks ‘alterative solution’ for Bengal campus

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.