BSY logs into rural areas, moots IT, BT zones

BSY logs into rural areas, moots IT, BT zones

SHIFT IN FOCUS

TEAM TOI

   Tech capital Bangalore draws a blank. No promises in the budget — be it infrastructure or incentives that would build investor confidence and bring businesses to Bangalore.
   There’s consolation, though: a slew of business development activities is proposed for rural Karnataka. “But again, the proof of the pudding is in doing things on the ground,’’ said an industry observer.
   Anant R Koppar, CEO, KTwo Technology Solutions, said, “The government has shown interest in removing the regional imbalance which is commendable. But nothing much for urban Karnataka.’’
   The budget proposes special zones for IT and BT sectors across Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Shimoga and Gulbarga. Industrial corridor projects planned include those along Bidar-Bangalore via Chitradurga, Tumkur-Honnavar via Shimoga, Chitradurga-Mangalore via Shimoga-Udupi, Bangalore-Belgaum via Davangere-Hubli.
   To spread the IT/BPO/BT segment growth, the state plans to build infrastructure at taluk level. The business would get exemption from stamp duty, reduction of registration charges and waiver of conversion fee as per the guidelines prescribed in the New Industrial Policy 2006-11.
   IT and BT parks are proposed to be set up in Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Shimoga, Davangere, Mangalore through joint ventures of private parties and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board. If good infrastructure comes up, it could attract companies into those regions. The budget talks of a rural IT programme, with an allocation of Rs 5 crore, to create IT-based employment opportunities in small towns. This is expected to promote BPO services in rural areas.
   To take technology to the rural masses, the government will set up a pilot project in Bellary, Chitradurga and Gulbarga.