Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy iss taking steps to ensure the information technology sector, a mainstay of the state, continues to grow.  Shaking off the pro rural image,  Kumaraswamy is all set to launch  technology-related initiatives .

Kumarasswamy said his government would encourage tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Hubballi, Mangaluru and Belgaum to come up as IT destinations, something the previous Congress government was planning. This will help take some pressure off Bengaluru, which is currently the go-to location for technology companies. The fast pace of development over the years has put tremendous strain on the civic infrastructure of the city and Kumaraswamy is keen to ensure that the other regions in the state

“We are going to announce several incentives in the coming Budget, to encourage them (smaller cities),” he said. Speaking to NewsBasics Kumaraswamy said that like the previous government, his government too was committed to develop the IT and IT enabled industry.

“That is our main sector. Not just in the IT sector, in several sectors we want to generate employment in big numbers,” he said.

The chief minister  who will be presenting the JD(S)-Congress coalition government’s budget on July 5 is expected to announce some major sops for the IT sector.

Kumaraswamy  who had reached out to Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy, for his thoughts on city panning in Bengaluru is looking forward to roping in other IT giants to give a thrust to the sector.

Kumaraswamy said he met Murthy twice, and “requested his assistance regarding the IT sector, and several other issues, particularly in Bengaluru city development….but his health does not permit it.” Murthy has assured the new chief minister that he will be happy to advise the government whenever required.

Kumaraswamy told Newsbasics he has  met other industry leaders, including Biocon chairperson & managing director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and former Infosys chief financial officer Mohandas Pai.

In addition to IT, another focus of the Karnataka government is promoting tourism in the State.

“I wanted to encourage the investors in several fields, particularly in tourism sector,” said Kumaraswamy, adding that several foreign investors are interested in investing in different industries in the state, and that his government will support them in a transparent manner.