IT, BT dept is now Department of Innovation and Technology

The state government on Thursday announced renaming the Department of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science &Technology as the Department of Innovation and Technology.  

Announcing this at 'Innovate Karnataka' event, Minister for IT and BT Priyank  Kharge said the renaming is primarily to make the state the global hub for innovation.  

"The initiative is under the single narrative of 'Innovate Karnataka', the  umbrella brand for all innovation in the state, be it in high-tech areas like block-chain, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), nanotechnology, etc, or in the vibrant startup ecosystem," he said.

Kharge said the state government's initiative to change the name of the department will help it to carry out various programmes in a more agile and mission-mode way to make Karnataka a global hub.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who unveiled the brand narrative for 'Innovate Karnataka', said the development cannot happen without innovation and no innovation is truly big unless it helps people.

"With 'Innovate Karnataka', we hope to start on the path to Mission 2025 where technology will help in the inclusive development of the state, where better governance can be delivered to the citizens," he said.

"Our vision is to put people first in all our schemes, and 'Innovate Karnataka' will both fulfil the vision, and be a driving force for it," he added.

The state government carved out the Department of Information Technology from Department of Commerce and Industry in 1998.

The move really gave a momentum to make Bengaluru and Karnataka the IT capital of India. Later, it established the Department of Information Technology & Biotechnology in September 2001.