Karnataka may set up authority for IT, BT, nano tech

BANGALORE: The Karnataka government is considering to set up an authority exclusively for the information technology, biotechnology and nano technology in order to promote these sectors.

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa made the announcement after Chief Mentor of Infosys Technologies N R Narayana Murthy made out a case for such an authority last night at the launch of Karnataka Government's flagship IT event, 'Bangalore IT.biz', to be held here from November 6.

The state government had decided to come out with a semi-conductor policy for Karnataka, given the vast opportunities in the sector, Yeddyurappa said at the function last night.

Meanwhile, Narayana Murthy said that the IT, BT and nano technology sectors need such an authority, separate from the other industries, to cater to their requirements.

These three sectors are "non-polluting", create high-quality jobs and contribute in a big way to exports, he said.

"It is important to have IT, BT, nano technology authority with full powers to ensure that the needs (of these companies in these sectors) are dealt in a friction-free manner", Murthy said. Just like the single window agency under the Industries department, the IT, BT and nano technology needed such an exclusive set up, he suggested.

He requested the Chief Minister to look into the possibility of creating an IT, BT, nano technology authority to which all the prospective investors would go.

Murthy also stressed the need for the government to "make life easy for IT companies to start operations in Karnataka".