IT, BT

Bangalore, Aug 20: The government of Karnataka will set up a separate authority which will act as a single-window agency to ensure speedy growth of IT, BT and Nano technology, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said on Wednesday, Aug 20.

Readily accepting to the suggestion by Infosys Technologies' Chairman N R Narayana Murthy to this effect, the Chief Minister said the government would seriously work towards setting up such an authority. He was speaking at the launch of the nation's flagship annual IT event 'Bangalore IT Biz' which will be held for three days from November 6. It is being organised for 11th year in succession. Bangalore IT Biz is the new avatar of Bangalore IT which has been attracting world's top IT companies in its previous editions.

This year the event would be projected as a platform for IT business. Bangalore contributes 36 per cent of the country's total software exports worth Rs 57,000 crore, while the research and development in IT grew by 35 per cent last year.

''In tune with the successful national semiconductor policy launched last year, my government would also formulate a policy for this niche industry to boost this sector. ''The city houses 16 of the world's top semiconductor industry'' Mr Yeddyurappa said.

The government would provide various sops to the IT and BPO players to set up units in semi-urban and rural areas. This would include stamp duty waiver, registration fee and land conversion fee, he said.

The government has decided to build a 'walk to work' IT city at the Chief Minister's home district Shimoga.

The three-day-conference to be held at the Palace Grounds here would highlight the emerging opportunities for ICT in green technologies, IT manufacturing, e-security, e-governance, healthcare, education and rural IT policy, Ashok Kumar Manoli, principal secretary of Department of IT, BT and Science and technology said.

Top companies from countries like the US, Germany, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Mexico and Chile have confirmed their participation in the event.

UNI