Bhubaneswar, Jan. 6: Tech czar Satyanarayan Gangaram Pitroda, popularly known as Sam Pitroda, was today appointed as technology adviser to the state government.

Former chairperson of National Knowledge Commission, Pitroda, who is credited with ushering in the technology revolution in the country, will enjoy cabinet rank.

He is expected to give concrete shape to chief minister Naveen Patnaik's Vision 2036, an ambitious plan for state's holistic development.

"As the state government is making a vision document for 2036 to celebrate the hundredth year of state's formation, the role of IT will be a key factor. Pitroda will help provide the essential technological blueprint to write the IT story of Odisha," said a communiqué from the chief minister's office while announcing his appointment.

Born in Titilagarh, part of backward Balangir district, Pitroda had visited the state in October last year for the release of his autobiography Dreaming Big: My Journey to Connect India.

Sources said offer for the post of technology adviser was made to him shortly after his book was released by the chief minister who has a high opinion of the acclaimed technocrat who had served as adviser to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in the 1980s.

The appointment comes at a time when the state government is gearing up to give a major push to the IT sector with Bhubaneswar likely to be developed as the new software capital of the country.

While IT majors such as Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro have already set up shops here, many more are said to be keen to do business with the state government.

Sources said things on the IT front were likely to look up with the government in the process of setting up the second Info City on the outskirts of the capital. The growth of IT sector is being seen as a major avenue for generating employment.

Pitroda's rich experience, according to sources, would also be helpful in increasing the tele-density of the state with manifold increase in telephone connections.