No reservations for locals in IT, asserts KT Rama Rao

Hyderabad: IT minister K.T. Rama Rao on Tuesday ruled out reservations for locals in IT sector.

Calling Hyderabad a “mini Bharat”, he said there were no native Hyderabadis and everyone was a “settler” who had come from other places, including himself. “Who is not a settler in Hyderabad? Everyone here is. I came from Siddipet to Hyderabad and so did many others. All those settled in Hyderabad are Hyderabadis,” he said, modifying a long-held TRS position on the issue. He said quota for locals cannot be implemented in IT and other private sector firms where merit matters. This comes on top of a Telangana techies group, Telangana Information Technology Association, demanding a reservations for locals.

The government’s industrial policy is more focussed on setting up industries in all sectors, and creating jobs for locals, but does not insist on a quota.

Disclosing that Warangal would be the next IT hub, he said, “We can’t insist on reservations to locals in IT jobs. It’s not possible. IT is a specialised skill and needs specialised persons to man it whether they are in Hyderabad or the US.”

No ill will towards Seemandhras: KT Rama Rao       

IT minister K.T. Rama Rao said the government was focussing on job-oriented skill development for qualified persons to enter the IT sector.

“Our focus is not just software, but also hardware. Not only job seekers, but job creators, ” Mr Rama Rao said.

He added that a company set up in Mahbubnagar had provided 700 jobs to locals.

He was replying to a question at a “Meet the Press” organised by Telangana state and Hyderabad unions of working journalists, about locals being upset with all parties were trying to woo ‘settlers’ with an eye on the GHMC elections.

He admitted that he did use harsh language during the Telangana movement but bore no grudge against the Seemandhra people.