Latest news with #PriyankKharge
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
AI inclusion debate slows down Karnataka's IT policy rollout
Bengaluru: Karnataka's fresh information technology policy 2025-2030, which needs to be rolled out this year, is facing a dilemma due to the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the sector. The fact that AI has become an integral part of the IT-BT sector means the state govt is struggling to decide whether to separate the two or integrate them across the board. "Across the world, countries are split in terms of creating a policy for AI. While Europe has a sector-specific AI usage policy, countries such as the US have a one-size-fits-all policy. Having visited both these continents, we are yet to finalise what should be our model in Karnataka," said a senior IT-BT official. The IT-BT department is currently debating whether the state should have a separate AI policy or make it the central point of the IT policy. With a wide range of consultations already embarked upon, stakeholders are giving their opinions on the use of AI, including the launch of a survey on how much AI is being used by individual companies and how the IT policy needs to integrate it. The govt is also considering aligning with the Centre's policy on AI as well. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Urologists: Enlarged Prostate? Every Man Should Stop This 1 Habit! Prostate Health Journal Click Here Undo You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru With the centre also considering an AI policy, the state needs to align its policy with it to ensure that Karnataka gets a majority of the grants that will be provided to states under various initiatives, said IT-BT officials. However, the debate itself has appeared to slow down the rollout of the IT policy as Karnataka does not intend to rush it. Speaking to TOI, IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge admitted that a larger consultation is taken up to roll out the fresh IT policy due to AI disruptions. Govt sources suggest that the department is trying to launch the policy close to the Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS), which will be held between Nov 18 and 22. —-- Quote Most of the expectations are being covered in the new IT policy. However, there are still a few grey areas with respect to the AI disruptions. Considering the policy is going to be a blueprint for the industry over the next four to five years, the govt is doing its due diligence and holding larger consultations to prepare the policy. This is taking a little additional time than anticipated -Priyank Kharge, IT-BT minister
Deccan Herald
17-07-2025
- Business
- Deccan Herald
Karnataka targets a USD 20B quantum‑driven economy by 2035
With a goal to make Karnataka a USD 20 billion quantum advantage-driven economy by 2035, the state government on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the growth of the quantum technology sector. The government has also announced that a dedicated 'Quantum Task Force' will be constituted and a strategic roadmap will be prepared, it said. As part of Karnataka's vision for comprehensive development of the quantum ecosystem, the 'Quantum India Bengaluru Summit' has been planned on July 31 and August 1. In this context, a high-level meeting was convened on Wednesday at Vidhana Soudha by the Department of Science & Technology, where key representatives from leading quantum technology companies participated. Ministers N S Boseraju (Minor Irrigation, Science & Technology), M B Patil (Industries), and Priyank Kharge (IT&BT) addressed the participants and shared their vision and assurances, an official release said. Minister Boseraju said the Karnataka government is ready to offer all necessary support to make the state a leader in the quantum sector. "Under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, a roadmap will be developed. We will consult the CM on forming a dedicated Task Force to guide this roadmap. Our government is committed to framing the necessary policies to support this mission," he said. "Our goal is to make Karnataka a USD 20 billion quantum advantage-driven economy by 2035. As part of this vision, India's first 'Quantum India Conclave' will be held on July 31 and August 1 under the Department of Science & Technology," he added. Industries Minister M B Patil said that the objective is for Karnataka to lead in quantum technology. "The state government is fully prepared to offer land, infrastructure, and all types of support needed for industries to thrive. We have asked industry representatives to submit their specific requirements, and we are ready to respond with the necessary facilitation," he added. IT&BT Minister Priyank Kharge highlighted that skill development in human resources is crucial for Karnataka to lead the quantum revolution. "We are committed to enabling a robust ecosystem of innovation and deep-tech collaboration. Through a phased approach under the proposed Quantum Mission, we aim to become a bridge between industry, academic institutions, and innovation networks. Karnataka must be at the forefront on the global quantum map," he added. Noting that Karnataka is well-positioned to emerge as a major stakeholder in India's quantum ecosystem, officials said the state offers top academic institutions, industry-friendly policies, world-class infrastructure, forward-looking industries capable of adopting cutting-edge technologies, and a skilled talent pool – strengths that are rare to find in other states.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Priyank must resign for silence on drugs case: MLA
Mangaluru: Y Bharath Shetty, MLA, Mangaluru City North constituency, sought an explanation from RDPR, IT, and BT Priyank Kharge, regarding the arrest of Lingaraj Kanni, the Congress block president of Kalaburagi South, by Maharashtra police in a drug trafficking case. The MLA told reporters on Thursday, that the minister, who has been critical of RSS, Sangh Parivar, and BJP, should also address the involvement of the Congress member in drug trafficking. "Priyank Kharge has not responded to the arrest of the Congress member yet. Drug supply was rampant in Kalaburagi for over six months through him. Home minister G Parameshwara failed to check the illegal supply of drugs when the police were silent. Let the minister resign if he is not able to share his reaction on the issue, clarifying his stance," Shetty said. He said the silence of the minister raises suspicion that he was also receiving "blessings". "Though it is a serious issue, the Congress has not taken it seriously. Priyank, who has been sharing his critical views on BJP and Sangh Parivar, has not written anything about the drug racket in Kalaburagi. Meanwhile, he is trying to divert the issue by writing on other political issues on social media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Luxury Awaits at Paras Floret | Paras Sector 59 Gurgaon Paras The Florett Book Now Undo In the 'Republic of Gulbarga', they are engaged in drug deals, and outside they speak on the Constitution," Shetty alleged. Stating that a huge racket is working behind the drug racket in the state, the MLA said that the menace has resulted even in suicides. Stating that Dakshina Kannada has a large number of educational institutions, the MLA said that home minister G Parameshwara stated recently that he will not allow Mangaluru to be converted into "Udta Punjab". "Has the home minister got intelligence input on this?" he questioned. Demanding a wing of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mangaluru, the MLA said that the recently formed Special Action Force (SAF) is of no use and such forces should be formed in Mangaluru to check illegal drug supply. He also lashed out at the minister, stating that the departments are corrupt. He alleged corruption in the implementation of MGNREGA and a lack of projects taken up by Keonics. "Keonics has failed to take up the pending projects, which were launched by the previous BJP govt," he said.
Hans India
17-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
State to set up quantum task force, targets $20 bn economy by 2035
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has announced plans to form a dedicated Task Force to steer the growth of the quantum technology sector, reaffirming its commitment to establishing the state as a national leader in quantum science and innovation. This move is part of a larger strategic vision to develop a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035. At a high-level consultation held at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday, ministers overseeing the portfolios of Science & Technology, Industries, IT & BT, and Minor Irrigation met with senior executives from global tech companies and academic leaders to discuss Karnataka's roadmap in the quantum domain. Ministers N.S. Boseraju (Science & Technology), M.B. Patil (Industries), and Priyank Kharge (IT & BT) addressed the gathering, assuring comprehensive support — including land allocation, infrastructure, and policy backing — to foster a thriving quantum ecosystem. 'Karnataka is uniquely positioned to lead India's quantum revolution, given its world-class institutions, skilled talent pool, and forward-looking industrial base,' said Minister Boseraju. 'We will consult the Chief Minister to form a Task Force to guide this effort.' Industries Minister M.B. Patil reiterated the government's readiness to facilitate industry demands swiftly, while IT&BT Minister Priyank Kharge stressed the importance of skill development and deep-tech collaboration. The meeting was attended by representatives from IBM, AWS, Infosys, L&T, XeedQ, QpiAI, IISc, JNCASR, IIIT Dharwad and others. Vision Group Chairman Kris Gopalakrishnan and government officials, including Principal Secretaries and Commissioners, were also present. The upcoming Quantum India Conclave, scheduled for July 31 and August 1, will mark the first major event under Karnataka's emerging quantum mission.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Scheme launched to digitally store vital documents of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
Bengaluru: In a move to empower SC and ST communities by safeguarding their access to welfare schemes, the govt has launched its flagship 'Nanna Guruthu' (My Identity) initiative in two gram panchayats — Huskur in Bengaluru Urban and Biligiriranganabetta in Chamarajanagar — as pilot locations. The rural development and panchayat raj (RDPR) and social welfare departments, which will jointly implement the initiative, aim to collect and securely store 13 essential govt documents in DigiLocker for every SC and ST beneficiary. These include Aadhaar, caste and income certificates, ration card, voter ID, pensions, Ayushman Bharat Health ID, and MGNREGA job cards, among others. "Nanna Guruthu will be implemented in Kalyana Karnataka gram panchayats based on learnings from the pilot project," said Priyank Kharge, RDPR minister. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Announced in the 2024-25 state budget, the project is designed to streamline access of SC and ST families to welfare schemes by eliminating document-related barriers. After the pilot phase, the scheme will be scaled up to 1,137 gram panchayats across seven districts in Kalyana Karnataka region. The e-governance department had conducted online training sessions in Nov for RDPR staff and volunteers on the DigiLocker app. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Since Aadhaar and mobile numbers are mandatory for registration, a door-to-door survey was conducted to gather names, Aadhaar details, and mobile numbers of all SC/ST residents in the two pilot panchayats. Officials say Biligiriranganabetta GP houses 82 SC and 1,732 ST individuals, while Huskur GP has 2,108 SC and 257 ST members. Officials will help residents collect, retrieve, and update the required documents. "If anyone loses their documents, the department concerned will provide documents. We will also help people update information in their documents," said an official. The scale of the task is significant. In Biligiriranganabetta GP, the target is to digitise 17,549 documents, of which 12,736 have already been uploaded. In Huskur GP, 14,517 of the targeted 18,246 documents have been secured. "Since the initiative is being implemented for SCs and STs, a request has been sent to the social welfare department to release Rs 16 crore from SCSP/TSP grant action plan for the year 2025-26," said the official. RDPR department has also written to all zilla panchayat chief executive officers, instructing them to prepare for expanding the initiative within their jurisdictions.
