Belagavi: In a strong bid to give a boost to the hardware sector, the state government on Monday approved the Karnataka Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (KESDM) Policy 2017-22.
Apart from this, the government also cleared implementation of the proposed International Convention Centre (ICC) project near Kempe Gowda International Airport (KIA) at an estimated cost of Rs 1440 crore. Thirty five acres will be earmarked for this project at the Devanahalli Business Park (DBP) under a public-private partnership model.
Sources disclosed that the KESDM Policy would enable setting up of five hardware accelerators in different parts of the state. The IT department is keen on creating such as electronic system design and manufacturing (ESDM) – the latest growing segment in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector that includes chip design, embedded software and very large scale integration – the key to the manufacture of computers, cell phones and other gadgets.
The policy focuses on startups and provides the right ecosystem to nurture them. A total of five hardware accelerators will serve as incubators for entrepreneurs who come forward to take up innovations in ESDM, sources said, adding that the centres would be established in Shivamogga, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi, Mysuru and Bengaluru.
The source added that the KSIIDC recently shortlisted two companies to execute it. The project site for DBP is located along NH 7 on the northern boundary of KIA, about 35 km from Bengaluru. Conceived in 2008, the project is expected to be completed in two years. The KSIIDC has prepared a concept plan to develop a state-of-the-art ICC comprising a convention hall with 6,000 seating capacity, an exhibition hall, food court and related infrastructure.
The Cabinet approved a Rs 1 crore fund to set up a professorship in Anthropology of India in memory of distinguished sociologist M.N. Srinivas at Oxford University, London.
