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Bengaluru, Oct 17 (IANS) Responding to Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh’s jibe at Google’s pledge to invest $15 billion over the next five years to set up a gigawatt-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Visakhapatnam, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said investors choose sectors that are favorable to them.
Speaking to reporters at the Mysuru airport and on Minister Nara Lokesh’s claim that foreign companies are investing in Andhra Pradesh instead of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said, “Investors choose areas which are favorable for them. Many investors have already invested heavily in Karnataka. Have any of them complained about the lack of infrastructure?”
The Chief Minister further said, “Major investment in iPhone manufacturing has come to Karnataka. Karnataka stood first in India in terms of attracting investment in the Global Investors Summit.”
Earlier, Nara Lokesh had shared a post on X saying, “They say Andhra food is spicy. Looks like some of our investments are too. Some neighbors are already feeling jealous.”
On Google’s AI hub moving to Andhra Pradesh, the Congress-led government in Karnataka has said that if Andhra Pradesh state offers more concessions, let the companies go there, and they will learn from the experience.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister, gave a statement in this regard while answering media questions at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday.
“Can we refuse those going to Andhra? If they are going because more concessions are being given, then let them go. They will also learn from the experience,” he said.
Shivakumar responded to Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh, “In terms of infrastructure, human resources, innovation and research, no city in the country matches Bengaluru. Others talk about Bengaluru only for their marketing.”
Regarding Nara Lokesh’s comments, he said, “Whether it is Nara Lokesh or anyone else, I will not react to his statements. 25 lakh IT professionals and 2 lakh foreigners work in Bengaluru. Bengaluru’s contribution to the country’s growth is huge. About 40 per cent of the Centre’s tax revenue comes from here. They talk about Bengaluru only to market themselves. Let them do whatever they want. Even if the Center helps them Do.” Bengaluru cannot be matched.”
–IANS
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