【New Delhi】The cabinet on the 20th of August approved the ambitious Digital India programme that aims to connect all gram panchayats by broadband internet, promote e-governance and transform India into a connected knowledge economy.
Government will initially spend Rs 69,524 crore on various IT and telecom projects under the 'Digital India' programme. The Programme, which would be implemented in a phased manner by 2019, is estimated to cost about Rs 113,000 crore, including ongoing schemes being run by the telecom department and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEIT), as well as on new schemes "Digital India is a program to prepare India for a knowledge future," says a presentation on the program to the cabinet by DEIT.
One can't make available thousands of medical specialists or school teachers to the remotest corners of the country, but one can make their services available through broadband at multi-service centres in every village. That, in essence, is the vision of Digital India initiative that the Cabinet cleared on Wednesday.
"The focus is on making technology central to enabling change". Prime Minister Narendra Modi had listed Digital India as among the top priorities for the new BJP-led central government, while delivering his maiden Independence Day speech on August 15.
○Aadhaar impact beyond DBT
【New Delhi】Given that both the Centre and states have now started working on Aadhaar-based cash transfers of entitlements, it will be a good idea to re-look at some of the transformational benefits that can be achieved using the UIDAI platform.
Aadhaar's impact is beyond Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) which aims to transfer subsidies directly to the people living below poverty line. Rajasthan has already started registering people for rolling out entitlements through its Bhamashah scheme and the Prime Minister’s ambitious financial inclusion plan, Jan Dhan Yojana, will also be linked to Aadhaar.
○PM Narendra Modi says 'digital revolution is about to begin'; showcases his vision
【New Delhi】At the launch of the government's 'National Digital Literacy Mission', Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 21st August said, "A digital revolution is about to begin."
Modi went on to say that his vision of a 'digital' India encompasses a time when the common man is able to track the government's work from his mobile phone. The National Digital Literacy Mission envisions to make 10 lakh citizens across India digitally literate.
○Modi asks IITs to develop defence, health sectors
【New Delhi】 Noting that India is dependent on imports in several sectors including defence and health, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 22nd August asked the IITs to take up the challenge of developing products in these critical fields.
He also asked these premier institutes to contribute towards user-friendly innovations in Indian Railways and fulfilling the vision for “housing for all” through technology that would enable rapid construction of economical, eco-friendly and structurally sound houses. Addressing a conference of Chairmen of Boards of Governors and directors of IITs here, he asked the IITs to instil a sense of “service” among bright young minds at various IITs.
【News source】
Government mulls Digital India programme to connect all villages
Digital India: Rs 69,500 cr for IT, telecom
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Digital India vision to boost education, healthcare sectors
Aadhaar impact beyond DBT
PM Narendra Modi says 'digital revolution is about to begin'; showcases his vision
Modi asks IITs to develop defence, health sectors
Free download of "The Origin of Christianity"
Readers' Voice
Your Comments
SEAnewsFacebook
SEAnewsGoogle