Will Karnataka get a new IT Secy?

BANGALORE, INDIA: Karnataka government on Tuesday evening issued orders appointing State IT and BT secretary MN Vidyashankar as state chief electoral officer (CEO).

He will succeed R Ramaseshan, who has opted for voluntary retirement.

However, Vidyashankar will continue to hold the post of IT Secretary as additional charge till the latter vacates the office.

According to sources in the state government, the Central Election Commission (CEC) is yet to approve Ramaseshan’s request for a VRS.

If the Election Commission accepts Ramaseshan’s papers and asks him to continue till the completion of the ongoing electoral revision and delimitation processes in the wake of Karnataka going in for assembly elections in May, Vidyshankar will take charge as the CEO after Ramaseshan is relieved.

Talking to CIOL, Vidyashankar expressed his desire to continue as the State IT secretary in order to see the light of many ambitious projects in the IT, BT and Science & Technology (ST) sectors in the State.

“Karnataka is getting projects worth Rs 80,000 crores for IT, BT and ST sectors in 2008 alone. No other state in India has seen such huge projects taking shape in a single year. There’s lot to be done in these sectors. A lot of fine-tuning is required for many ongoing projects as well. We are also focusing more on tier 2 and 3 cities in the state to promote these sectors. Given such huge growth and development, I urge the government to let me continue in my present post,” Vidyashankar said.

“I am ready to discharge my duties as the CEO till the elections are over in addition to my present post. I will be grateful to the government if they allow me to continue as the IT secretary for some more time and appoint a new chief electoral officer. I will be writing to the government in this regard,” he added.