The Information Technology department has allayed apprehensions that the brand image of Hyderabad as IT destination will suffer because of the exposure of drug racket in which some IT professionals too were reported to be involved.

Industries and IT secretary Jayesh Ranjan said a couple of dozens of IT employees from a total of more than four lakh employees could be involved in the use of drugs. “But this constitutes a very small percentage.

This will not have any impact on the city’s reputation as the IT hub,” he told reporters who met him on Wednesday.

The department received list of companies from the investigating agencies whose employees were suspected to be involved in drug use. Steps had been initiated in the right earnest to hold discussions with the heads of these firms about the steps that should be taken to wean away the employees from the menace.

“I myself had spoken to several employers and advised them to create a congenial atmosphere in their respective establishments. Steps like organising team building activities, engaging the staff in their corporate social responsibility works and others will ensure that the staff is engaged,” he said.

He, however, refused to divulge the number of companies or their names where there was suspicion of use of drugs.

He asserted that the companies which were working in a competitive environment would not like to lose their edge by allowing such activities. “No company will allow such activities as it directly affects the productivity of the staff. Given the stiff competition prevailing in the IT establishment, companies will not allow any such development that will hit their productivity,” he said.

Asked about incorporation of micro breweries in the latest policy on innovation released the other day, he said the issue of micro breweries was not related to drugs in any way.