The State Government has constituted “Vision Group on Information Technology” headed by Shri. N.R. Narayana Murthy and “Vision Group on Biotechnology” under the Chairmanship of Dr. Kiran Majumdar Shaw, which are the Apex Advisory Bodies for the growth and development of IT & Biotechnology respectively in the State of Karnataka. The Department also organizes Annual IT Events (Bangalore IT.in held in October to November) and Biotech Event (Bangalore Bio held in April to June). These Events drawing global participation in growing numbers have earned International name and fame over the years. These Events have also been instrumental in attracting investments to the State.

Functions of individual Organization:

1. Directorate of Information Technology & Biotechnology (DIT)

Directorate of Information Technology & Biotechnology was established vide the Government Order No. ITD 02 PRM 2001 dated 19.09.2001.The Directorate was entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the various Information Technology and Biotechnology promotional activities besides its regular functions.

The Directorate of Information Technology and Biotechnology is responsible for drawing the grants from the Treasury as and when released by Government on various on-going schemes allocated in the Budget and disburses to the implementing agencies.

2. Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS)

The Karnataka Information Technology Services (KITS) was established during 2000 as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act to achieve the objectives contained in the Millennium Information Technology Policy. It plays a significant role in the growth and development of knowledge based industries in the State. This organization helps the Department of Information Technology and Biotechnology in facilitating and promoting the Information Technology and Biotech sectors in the state by organizing as well as participating in Road shows, Trade shows, Conferences, Symposia, Seminars held at National and International levels. This enables to project the State and its potential for investments, implementation of its policies and programmes, assisting industries in getting quick clearances, administering incentives and concessions announced in state policies, etc. Vide Govt. Order No.ITD 02 PRM 2001, dated.19.09.2001. Karnataka Information Technology Services has been renamed as"Karnataka Biotechnology and Information Technology Services (KBITS)".

3. Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS):

Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) was incorporated as a Public Limited Company in September 1976 with the objective of promoting the development of electronic industry in the State and to create infrastructure for the rapid growth of electronic industries. It was envisaged to function both as manufacturer and as a facilitator as well as catalyst for the development of electronic industries and accordingly classified as development enterprise.

The authorized capital of the company is Rs. 10.00 crores consisting of 10,00,000 equity shares of Rs. 100 each. The paid up capital as on 31.3.2008 is Rs. 787.20 lakhs. This entire share capital has been contributed by the Government of Karnataka at various points of time commencing from 1977.

The present activities of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited are broadly categorized as under:-

a) Training Services:

Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited has network of 230 training centers throughout Karnataka. The computer training and Information Technology enabled services activities have been awarded with ISO 9001:2000 certifications. All the training centers are well equipped with latest Hardware and Software. Well-experienced faculty members are deployed in these centers. These centers will also act as point of presence for various other activities of Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited. Training programmers are also being conducted to staff of various Government Departments and organizations in addition to other candidates.

b) Infrastructure Facility Services:

Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited has set up Electronics City on sprawling 332 acres of land on Hosur Road, Bangalore. This Electronics City is today a major hub of Information Technology activities. With a view to encourage growth of Information Technology and Information Technology Enable Services industries in northern part of Karnataka, an Information Technology Park at Hubli with a total built up area of 3.55 lakh sq.ft. is established Software Technology Parks of India has already provided high speed connectivity at Information Technology Park, Hubli.

c) Marketing Services:

Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS) is supplying EPABX systems to various Defense head Quarters. It has also undertaken projects of telecommunication networks by using Optical Fiber Cables and underground cables and is also marketing computer hardware, software and electronic equipments to various Government organizations. It has also provided e-tendering solution ‘Tender Wizard’ to more than 30 Government organizations. In these projects Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited has partnered with companies like M/s Tata Telecom, Pair Cables, Simoco, HP, CMS, Antares, etc.,

d) Consultancy Services:

d) Consultancy Services: Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited has developed in house competence in offering consultancy on project implementation to various Government Departments in the areas of Networking, Web creation and Software Development and Computerization plans. It has acquired these skills through re-orientation training programmes as system integrators, certified engineers and software developers. Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited has also signed Memorandum of Understanding with various organizations to market their products and services. To name a few are e-devalaya , tender wizard, works management system, drugs Logistics Smart Card, etc.

4. Karnataka State Remote Sensi ng Applications Centre (KSRSAC):

Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre (KSRSAC) is an autonomous organization under the Department of Information Technology & Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka. The Director, Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre is the head of the Centre. The activities of Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Center (KSRSAC) are guided and monitored by the Executive Committee, which is headed by the Principal Secretary or the Secretary to Government, as the case may be, Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology.

Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre is the Nodal Agency for implementation of GIS and Remote Sensing (including Photogrammetry) for the State. Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre is harnessing the potentials of remote sensing and GIS techniques for developing the digital database of natural resources and urban sprawl in the State. Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications Centre has been carrying out remote sensing and GIS base programmes for the Line Departments of the State on non-profit basis. Because of this, many Line Departments are coming forward to use remote sensing based data as an input for drawing up perspective management plan for developmental actives in the State.

Science has occupied the center stage in our lives and technology is shaping the way we live. The basic knowledge of Science and Technology is a pre-requisite for the over all prosperity of the human being. It is necessary to create a scientific temper among the community for the purpose of attaining a healthy society especially in the matters of environment and conservation of natural resources. The need of the hour isto educate the common man on Science and Technology. Keeping in view of this the Government has created Science and Technology Department in 1981.

(1) Administrative setup of the Science and Technology Unit: Earlier, the Science and Technology Unit was working under the administrative control of the Planning Department. Subsequently by Government Order No. DPAR 72 Sasivi 2003, dated:11/08/2003 this Unit was brought under the administrative control of Principal Secretary, Information Technology, Bio Technology, Science and Technology.

(2) The following scientific institutions come under the Department of Science and Technology:

1) Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology (KSCST)

2) Karnataka Science and Technology Academy.

3) Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (JNP)

4) Karnataka State Drought Monitoring Cell (KSDMC)

5) Karnataka Rajya Vignana Parishat (KRVP)

6) Dharwad Regional Science Centre

7) Mangalore Pilikula Regional Science Centre