The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Scheme soon to encourage IT and BT companies to go to backward districts

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Monday, Jun 16, 2008
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Karnataka - Bangalore

Scheme soon to encourage IT and BT companies to go to backward districts

Staff Reporter

Katta Subramanya Naidu organises Udyoga Mela for youth of Sanjayanagar

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

TO BENEFIT YOUTH: A scene at the Udyoga Mela in Bangalore on Sunday.

Bangalore: Minister for Information Technology and Bio-technology Katta Subramanya Naidu has said that the Government will soon come out with a scheme to encourage IT and BT companies to set up units in the backward districts and tier-two cities of the State.

He was speaking to The Hindu at the Udyoga Mela organised on Sunday for the benefit of unemployed youth of Sanjayanagar ward in the Hebbal Assembly Constituency which he represents. Mr. Subramanya Naidu as the Minister for Major and Medium Industries in the previous Government had organised Udyoga Melas to provide employment to a large number of youth.

Mr. Subramanya Naidu said many IT companies of the State, which had opted to set up base in other States owing to various reasons, have now agreed to return to the State. “They are coming back to Karnataka after bitter experiences elsewhere. Our Government is keen on promoting the growth in the IT and BT sector. Soon after I assumed charge, I met important people from the industry. They have given a few suggestions and we are keen on ensuring that their needs are met,” he said.

The Minister said that the companies had expressed a desire to tap the rural talent in the State. “However, the IT and BT companies are worried about their ‘employability’ levels. The Government is keen on providing the trained manpower to these companies, which is possible only through quality education. The Department of IT and BT, along with the Department of Higher Education, will try to make professional education more industry-relevant,” he said.

Mr. Subramanya Naidu also said that the Government would ensure that the State retains its global status in the IT and BT sectors. The State provides direct employment to four lakh people and another four lakh indirectly. We will ensure that another eight lakh people gain employment in the sector,” he said.

He also said that his department would work towards doubling the software exports from the State from Rs. 56,000 crore to Rs. 1 lakh crore.

“That is the target that I have set for the department. We will ensure that we reach the goal as soon as possible. More than nine lakh youth will graduate from schools and colleges soon and [will] look forward for gainful employment. By providing the youth with jobs, we will be able to eradicate poverty. The Government is keen on making Karnataka a model State in all respects,” he added.

Over 1,500 youth attended the Udyoga Mela, in which more than 25 companies, including Infosys, iGate, Bombay Rayon, HLK Global, LIC, Satyam Computers, and placement agents from Karnataka State Small Industries Development Corporation Ltd., Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association, Rajajinagar, and Kamakshipalya Industrial areas, participated.

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