Karnataka IT secretary quits

T Radhakrishna
30 September 2003

Bangalore: The sudden resignation of Vivek Kulkarni, the secretary to the Karnataka government department of IT and biotechnology, has sent shock waves in the Bangalore corporate world and bureaucrat circles.

Why has he quit? Only Kulkarni, it seems, can give an exact answer. But going by his wide contacts in the industry across the globe and work experience coupled with his educational background, one could easily guess that he might have bitten by the entrepreneurial bug.

The grapevine has it that Kulkarni is poised to join the corporate world. On 29 September, Kulkarni put in his papers, opting for a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) with immediate effect.

Confirming the news, Karnataka Minister of State for IT and Tourism D B Inamdar says: "He has opted for VRS and has three months' time to withdraw it, if not it is as good as accepted."

As per the information received, Kulkarni exited yesterday amid emotional adieus that came as a shock to many. "He is going on leave as he has accumulated enough leave over the years," says Inamdar. Presently the responsibilities have been handed over to the director of IT, Government of Karnataka, Jawaid Akhtar.

Kulkarni, the brain behind the Bangalore IT.Com — and the face as well — has quit at a time when the Asia's biggest IT event is just a month away.