Bangalore: IT takes centre stage again

[ 3 Sep, 2006 0018hrs IST TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

BANGALORE: After putting Infosys on the global map, IT czar NR Narayana Murthy will now guide Karnataka's IT vision. Murthy was on Saturday, appointed to head the State Vision Group on IT.

Murthy, who stepped down from his executive role at Infosys on August 20, has agreed to shoulder the responsibility.

A disgusted Murthy had quit as chairman of Bangalore International Airport Ltd on October 20, 2005, when he was pained by former PM HD Deve Gowda calling him a land-grabber.

However, Gowda's son, chief minister Kumaraswamy, openly acknowledged Murthy's "singular contribution to the growth and development of India's technology sector".

Kumaraswamy had hinted at utilising Murthy's services much before he retired. He had said the Vision Group to be headed by Murthy would guide the development of knowledge-based industries like IT, BT and precision engineering.

"The Vision Group will be meeting soon under Murthy's chairmanship to chalk out plans for promoting knowledge-based industries and showcasing the state's eco-system at the upcoming Bangalore IT. In 2006 event to be held in October- end," Kumaraswamy had said on July 30.

The decision means the IT Task Force formed when SM Krishna was CM has been resurrected. Murthy was chairman of that Task Force.

IT and BT Secretary Anup K Pujary said: "Murthy met our officers last week and agreed to chair this group. While the Vision Group on Biotechnology will continue to function separately under the leadership of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the newly formed Group will guide the IT sector in Karnataka."

Murthy's assent to head the group seems to bring back the days when IT took centre stage. The formation of an IT Task Force was suggested by the Millennium IT Policy in 1999-2000.

Sources said: "The Millennium IT Task Force gave complete guidance to the government. The then cabinet had given them full powers, and several recommendations were implemented. It is good to know that efforts are being made to revive it."

Details are still awaited on the guidelines as well as the members of the Vision Group. Murthy, who is presently travelling, is expected to return to Bangalore in mid-September.