All panchayats in State to get broadband connectivity

The State government is drawing up a plan to provide broadband connectivity to all panchayat bodies in the State.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, after the inauguration of the Students Internet World programme, IT and BT Minister S R Patil said that the government wants to complete work on providing broadband connectivity to all panchayats within a year.

“This will help rural communities access various government services using the internet,” he added.

The State, along with the Centre, has taken up the task of spreading Internet literacy in rural areas. A target has been set to make at least one person in each family, in rural areas, Internet-literate in the State by 2020.

 “The focus will be on students and women in the drive,” he said and added that the programme also envisages making all government high school students adept in internet use.

In the initial phase, seventh to ninth standard students will be trained on how to use computers. About 400 centres will be set up across the State for this purpose.

“The programme has been organised as part of the National Rural Digital Literacy Mission,” Patil explained.

The State government has tied up with Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd to implement the programme.

The company will set up centres and impart training. “As many as 18,000 computers will be installed for this programme,” Patil explained.

Country Manager (Education), Intel Technology India Pvt Ltd, Anil Misquith said the students selected for the programme will undergo a three-day training course.

The company has designed training in such a way that it motivates them in the process of learning, he said and added that about four lakh students will be trained under the programme this year.

'C N R Rao is correct'

IT-BT Minister S R Patil said he agrees with Bharat Ratna awardee C N R Rao's statement that there is a need to increase allocation to science and technology. “What he (Rao) has said is correct. Development of a country depends on advancement in science and technology,” he stated and added that he will discuss the issue with the chief minister.