Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started Digital India programme. Being communications & IT minister, the implementation of this programme is on your shoulders. What is the progress?
'Digital India' is a revolution in itself. It will be possible in three phases -- all gram panchayats are to be connected first, all government services should be provided on digital platform and to strengthen every Indian, informed and educated in terms of digital platform.
What is the timeline you have set to implement the programme?
We will connect 50,000-60,000 gram panchayats by March-April 2016, one lakh by 2017 and another lakh by 2018. We are working on it and monitoring everything, and then zilla parishads will be connected, and then these will be connected to gram panchayats. Every government service will be available digitally -- like e-health, e-education. We want 'Digital India' to happen the way TV became a rage and spread its wings everywhere, for which we will take help from private companies as well.
Several Congress ministers have alleged that you are trying to do the same thing they had initiated?
Congress is open to have their misconceptions. If they were doing well, why would public not support them? As far as digital media is concerned, there are hardly any mobile phones manufactured in our country. Same is the case with set-top boxes, SIM cards and smart cards. I have recently started an electronic cluster based in Bhopal and Jabalpur. So, it's all taking place together. I'm also trying to ensure that the poor have access to technology.
You recently met defence minister Manohar Parrikar. What measures have been taken to release spectrum from defence?
We both feel that while spectrum is critical to national security, it's equally important for the telecom sector. We are hoping to get whatever is not required by them, or we can exchange or share the services sometimes. These are the various possibilities and we are still in talks.
Is there a possibility of 2G, 3G and 4G auctions to be held together?
The work is still in progress, hence I won't comment. All I would say is that we'll try to make the process as honest and transparent as possible.
Call rates are expected to go up after the auctions since the spectrum will be expensive, directly impacting the customers...
There is going to be a lot of scope considering the numerous spectrum and the country's population.
The telecom, information & broadcasting and IT ministries play a very important role in the e-commerce sector. Does the government plan to implement any regulations on this industry? India will soon be the second-largest country to use internet after China. The Chinese site 'Alibaba' has over 2 lakh drivers working for it. So, there is a scope of unlimited opportunities in this field. I have also asked the postal department to work in tandem, and they are working very hard towards it. And I have also told them to reach out to the artisans in the various parts of the country and help promote their art and products. I am not in favour of regulations but people should be penalised in case of violation of the laws or quality control. Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook when he was 19; the founder of Flipkart created the site at 25. So, I too would like to encourage the youth and their capabilities.
Will regulations curtail growth?
I don't believing in curtailing or discouraging entrepreneurship by imposing regulations.
Is it true that creating wi-fi zones may not be possible right now and we learn that you have informed PMO about the same?
We still plan to make important areas wi-fi enabled. Free wi-fi cannot be unlimited, it may be for a short period. I have ordered the tourism department to co-ordinate and work on it.
What are your proposals to revive MTNL and BSNL?
BSNL and MTNL have faced a lot of challenges in the past few years. Thousands of crores were spent on the spectrum, which was never used so they incurred losses. They didn't have the required equipment because the tenders were not finalised on time. A lot of work is being done on infrastructure and investment in these two companies to improve their state. Also, a lot of towers are being affected in the North East and hilly regions. This is one of the Digital India campaign projects.
Is there a shortage of funds for optical fibre 'yojana'?
No shortage, it is a large project and we are doing our best.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Amish Devgan
Quelle/Source: Daily News & Analysis, 22.11.2014
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