CIOInsider India Magazine
Karnataka's updated IT Policy is Expected to be Finalized by July: Priyank Kharge
Karnataka’s updated information technology policy is expected to be finalized by July, according to state IT minister Priyank Kharge. It will replace the 2020-2025 policy, which concentrated on IT-enabled services and is set to expire this year.
The State IT Vision Group, comprising IT firms, business chambers, and think tanks, is currently developing a new policy, which will be presented to the ministerial level once it is finalized at the secretariat level.
“The policy is currently a draft. The old policy will lapse this year. We’re hopeful that the drafting of the new policy will happen before the CEO meets in July, that we traditionally hold once a year. It is going through the IT Vision Group and larger consultations. Once it is finished at the secretariat level, it will come to me,” says Kharge .
The most recent meeting regarding the issue took place on May 23, involving IT secretary Ekroop Caur, industry association Nasscom, and other stakeholders. They talked about approaches to retrain Karnataka's digital workforce, highlighted the importance of expanding IT infrastructure beyond Bengaluru to include tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and examined regulatory changes to improve the business environment in the state.
“The IT policy will focus on creating new economic accelerators beyond Bengaluru. Infrastructure is a problem with any growing city and that was quite naturally raised by stakeholders,” adds the minister.
“The IT policy that had come out then (2020-2025) was concerning IT-enabled services. Now it is going to be a light-house policy that leads to other policies. Once the feedback comes in, the budgetary outlay will be allocated. There are IT companies and think tanks that we consult.”
The budget includes plans to establish a Centre for Applied AI focused on technological solutions, with an investment of Rs 50 crore spread over five years
Also Read: Inventions from Bengaluru that are Serving Tech Prowess, Societal Good
The budget includes plans to establish a Centre for Applied AI focused on technological solutions, with an investment of Rs 50 crore spread over five years. Additionally, a Fund-of-Funds worth Rs 300 crore has been created to support startups, along with a Rs 100 crore fund designated for deep tech advancement.
