Wednesday, December 28 2005 19:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Chairman and Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies Limited N R Narayana Murthy today (Dec 28, 2005) lashed out at a section of politicians who blamed the IT industry for the infrastructure woes of Bangalore.

An estimated over 1,200 IT and IT-enabled services firms dot the city and surrounding areas. The city is home to IT biggies like NASDAQ-listed Infosys and New York Stock Exchange-listed Wipro. Almost all top IT MNCs have operations here.

Earlier this year, the IT industry led in highlighting the city's woes particularly on the road traffic management, leading to a spat with the coalition Government.

Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda had recently targetted Infosys, levelling land-grabbing allegations against the company, which has flatly denied the charge.

"Politicians must learn to respect those who create jobs," Murthy said at the valedictory function of the second international alumni meet of National Institute of Technology Warangal here.

Then, he raised his voice and declared, "There is no point in blaming the IT industry for the city (its woes). It's their responsibility in fact to plan the city better because they have sought power, they have sought seats."

Murthy added, "Just as I will be held responsible if Infosys did not do well, the politicians must take responsibility if the city did not do well, state did not do well, country did not do well."