To ensure better citizen service, Karnataka plans new blockchain policy

Karnataka government plans to come out with a frame work policy on blockchain as part of its efforts to leverage new age  technologies and implement it for better citizen service.

In an interaction with DH on the second day of Bengaluru Tech Summit on Friday, IT&BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the blockchain technology is a unique one as it promotes decentralised approach.

"We are trying to bring in transparency and better governance. Blockchain technology will lead to disruption across many markets and offers advantages such as efficiency, high quality user experience, safety and streamlined processes," he said.

A blockchain is a decentralised and distributed digital ledger that is used to record transactions across many computers so that the record cannot be altered retroactively without the alteration of all subsequent blocks and the collusion of the network.

Kharge also pointed out that it has its own inherent challenges like what protocol to be used. "To address thin lines between transparency and privacy, latency in transaction and adoption, we should have certain guidelines. We are planning to associate with industries to come up with it soon," he said.

As part of the tech summit, the Karnataka government has made it clear that it will proactively engage with frontier technology areas to take leadership position to practice in governance and policy formation.  

"Any emerging technology, just not big data, artificial intelligence, data analytics, will be used by the government for our better engagement with citizens," he said.  

The minister also pointed out that the creation of centre of excellence is a right move in this direction. "We want to give thrust on skilling and thus give affordable work force. It will also help in incubation leading to innovation," he said.