Karnataka CM allocates Rs 299 crore for IT, BT and SandT dept

Karnataka government proposed to set up a Centre of Excellence in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security Centre here, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in the state 2017-18 budget today.

The Centre is being set up keeping in mind emerging technologies and to create necessary technical resource and skill development, in collaboration with entrepreneurs to givethrust to capacity building, he said.

Unveiling the budgetary proposals in the Assembly, Siddaramaiah announced a total allocation of Rs 299 crore to IT, BT and Science and Technology Department.

A new programme 'Yuva Yuga' will be implemented to train 1,10,000 persons in IT, electronics, animation and other sectors by pooling funds from the Union Government and entrepreneurs to give thrust to skill development, he said.

It was also proposed to provide free wi-fi in all gram panchayats, which would be implemented under PPP



ledby Keonics (Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation) providing Viability Gap Funding in 2,500 grampanchayats in the first phase at a cost of Rs 50 crore, he said.

Siddaramaiah said it is also proposed to establish artificial intelligence and robotics centre at IIIT, Bengaluru at a cost of Rs five crore.

He said an AVGC Venture Fund of Rs 20 crore is being set up to provide Venture Capital to companies in Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics sector.

Under the new schemes relating to e-governance for 2017-18, every district will be brought under the scope of service of process by establishing 'Karnataka One' centres in more than 18 district centres, Siddaramaiah said.

KSWAN-2 (Karnataka State Wide Area Network) will be implemented in the next five years at a cost of Rs 800 crore and the number of offices being included in this network will be increased to 10,000, he said.