Digital power fueled by smart phones will drive ‘Digital India’, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Communications and IT, said that digital power, accelerated by smart phones in the hands of young people, has enormous potential to drive ‘Digital India’ and achieve the dreams of aspirational India at FICCI’s 88th AGM. While the programme currently focuses on digital delivery of health, education, grocery and tourism services, “there is a need to promote e-health, e-education, e- internet, e-tourism and e-commerce”, he said while addressing the 88th Annual General Meeting of FICCI.

Prasad also said that ‘Digital India’ should be empowered by private sector participation. The telecom regulator need to understand that regulation and development of the telecom sector must be blended and the regulator should be made accountable to Parliament.

He mentioned the various measures being undertaken and it is the good governance and good execution which is making the difference. He also stressed on the importance of quick and fair decision making. Initiatives undertaken include strengthening the e-highway, expanding the optical fibre network and opening of BPOs centres in smaller cities and towns.

The Minister mentioned about measures being taken to improve the Indian postal service. He said that the massive postal network in the rural areas should be converted into community service centers and the postal department should be scaled up to provide e-commerce services and should be aggressively persuaded to enter into baking segment.

Going ahead, he also said that Digital India will provide a roadmap where good service and good productivity will also give good returns.