'You forget your roots you don’t get the fruit': DyCM Shivakumar hits out at IT bosses criticising Bengaluru on social media

Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday launched an indirect attack on IT/BT industrialists for their social media criticism of Bengaluru’s infrastructure, warning them not to forget their “roots”.

He made the remarks after a public engagement at Veera Yodharavana Park in Koramangala, where he participated in a “conversation with citizens” and listened to a flood of grievances as part of the ‘Walk with Bengaluru’ campaign.

“Those who started business using the facilities of Bengaluru and grew to a big level... now they are criticising and tweeting about Bengaluru,” Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, said. “If you forget your roots, you don’t get the fruit.”

However, he welcomed the criticism, noting “it adds value to democracy”.

Shivakumar confirmed that he, along with fellow ministers Ramalinga Reddy, MB Patil and Priyank Kharge, would hold a separate meeting with CEOs of IT/BT companies to hear their concerns and petitions.

Addressing the growing infrastructure strain on the city, the Dy CM announced a massive development plan. “For the comprehensive development of Bengaluru, we have prepared a development plan of Rs 1.04 lakh crore in the next 3 to 4 years.”

This includes a tunnel road, elevated corridors, double-deck flyovers, buffer roads, illumination to increase the beauty of the city and installation of LED bulbs for street lights, Shivakumar said.

He highlighted the city’s exponential growth, noting that Bengaluru now has a population of 1.40 crore, with nearly 70 lakh people coming from outside depending on the city for jobs and education, and 3,000 new vehicles being registered daily.

The immediate fund limit for every corporation commissioner has been increased from Rs 1 crore to Rs 3 crore. The five newly formed corporations have also been allowed to collectively approve works worth Rs 50 crore without a tender, with each corporation permitted to spend Rs 10 crore on works and the standing committee expenditure limit increased to Rs 5 crore.

In a move to regularise property records, Shivakumar urged citizens to take up the E-khata initiative, calling it a “big revolution”. He said the 5% charge for converting ‘B’ khata to ‘A’ khata was not a “huge amount” and the process would double the property value without requiring any bribe.