Bengaluru, Apr 11: Putting a brave front on the “pressure tactics” of Amazon India, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science and Technology Minister S R Patil said the government can’t give concessions to one company in the eCommerce sector.

“We have been giving lots incentives to investors coming to the state. Here online trading is now 70 per cent and will reach around 100 per cent soon. In this scenario how can we give them exemption? We have to run the government,” he told Deccan Herald.
He, however, clarified that the matter was for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to decide. “The issue is beyond my jurisdiction to comment as the Finance Department is under the Chief Minister. He will take an appropriate decision soon,” he said.
Patil, who termed Amazon’s decision to put on hold investments in the state as “pressure tactics”, said the company’s unilateral decision is detrimental to the state’s interests. “Here we should try to understand that Karnataka is the second largest destination in the planet on global technology, and growing. We will continue to attract investments to the state,” he said.
In an exclusive interaction with Deccan Herald on Wednesday, Amazon India vice-president and Country Manager Amit Agarwal had disclosed the company’s decision to put on hold all future investment plans in the state. “We are very much disappointed with the government’s attitude. Here, I would like to say that policy parameters in Karnataka are not in sync with eCommerce industry demands,” Agarwal had said. But the company clarified that ongoing investments in Karnataka would not be affected by the decision.
Patil countered the reports about incentives being given by Telangana saying the finances of that state were in bad shape. “After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Seemandhra are facing financial crisis. They are even finding it difficult to pay the employees. How can they continue with the financial assistance?” he asked.
When Deccan Herald contacted the Chief Minister’s office, officials there said a formal decision on the Amazon issue is yet to be taken. “The Chief Minister is in Vijayapura. We haven’t made any decision on this issue,” said the official.



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