Abstract of Project

Project Title:
Policy for Integration of ICT intiatives across Rural Karnataka

Recipient Institution:
Centre for Environmental Studies (CES)
The Energy and Resources Institute(TERI)

4th Main, 2nd Cross, Domlut II Stage Bangalore - 560 071
INDIA

Tel/Fax: 91-80-5356590-95

Project Leader:
Dr. Purandar Chakravarty
purandar@teri.res.in

URL:
http://www.teriin.org/

Amount and Duration: US$ 8,732 / 8 months

Commencement Date:
1 December 2003

Abstract of Project
Karnataka is in the forefront of Information Technology and is called the Silicon State of India. The Karnataka Government has initiated various e-governance initiatives for enhancing rural development. Unfortunately the implementations of these ICT initiatives are haphazard because these are taken up by the respective departments without inter departmental co-ordination. There are also many private companies that are focusing on providing ICTs in villages of Karnataka. These companies are working on their individual mandates, in isolation of one another and the Government. Karnataka might take justifiable pride in being a leader in the IT sector but these rapid advances have not really helped the rural population to the expected level.

The level of per capita income and consumption in Karnataka is below the national average (Krishna S.M, Chief Minister, White Paper on Development, State Assembly presentation, Bangalore, Karnatak ;April 2000). Programmes and interventions that integrate technological options in a number of relevant fields yield much higher returns than would be the case if these interventions were carried out separately( Draghi P A; 'Information technology for poverty alleviation in rural areas'; 'Proc. Of Int. Conf., 'The role of new technologies in poverty alleviation and sustainable development'; Washington D.C;Nov-2000, Eds. Pachauri R. K., Vasudeva Gurmeet, TERI, New Delhi, 2001).

The essence of development requires establishing the linkages between different initiatives, which also takes place far more effectively through simultaneous efforts across all critical initiatives rather than in a disjointed and unconnected manner. The objectives of this research are to develop strategies and policy recommendations for integration of ICT interventions in rural Karnataka, encompassing available infrastructure, applications, information resources and manpower. With this objective, the project aims to accelerate rural development by giving this section of society ICT based multi-sectoral advantages.