Chennai: Tamil Nadu government's latest IT policy, seeking to establish the state as the destination of choice for IT industries and upgrade the quality of life of the citizens through e-governance among other things, was released in Chennai by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Unveiling the policy during the inauguration of "Connect 2002", an international IT conference, she said the policy also aims at empowering people in the rural areas so as to bridge the 'digital divide', to enhance research and development and promote use of Tamil in IT.

"I am sure the implementation of the policy will usher in a new era of growth of the IT industries and employment opportunities and transform Tamil Nadu from a in-line to on-line state," Jayalalithaa said.

The policy also envisages to position the state as the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) capital of the world. It outlines measures to develop cities like Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli and Salem in the BPO space.

The two-day "Connect 2002" is being attended by more than 1,000 delegates from India and abroad mainly from the US, UK Singapore and Mauritius.

PTI