Govt proposes to set up 5,000 Cyber Centres

Bangalore, Jul 24: The Karnataka government has proposed to set up 5,000 Common Service Cyber Centers in the state by involving private leaders, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said here.

Addressing an interactive meeting with IT and BT Leaders on Wednesday, July 23 night, he said ''the benefits of IT are yet to reach the rural areas and hence, the state proposes to set up Common Service Cyber Centers at Grama Panchayat level through public-private partnership.'' Mr Yeddyurappa added the state government has also proposed to establish IT/BT Parks in Tier II and Tier III cities like Hubli-Dharwad Belgaum, Gulbarga, Shimoga, Davanagere and Mangalore through joint ventures of private participation, Karnataka Industrial Development Board and KEONICS.

Stating that Bangalore which is home to 80 per cent of the Silicon Design and Embedded Software Industries, the Chief Minister said it was also proposed to set up Hardware Park near Bangalore International Airport.

Mr Yeddyurappa, assuring the IT and BT industry all support and encouragement from the state government, requested the IT and BT leaders, to give their considered inputs and suggestions for the over all development of Karnataka.

Appealing to the IT industry to participate in the State's annual 'Bangalore IT', the Chief Minister said the event has not lost its sheen and it affords a conducive business platform.

UNI