Centre laying impetus on digitisation, says Union minister

'2.5L GPs to get internet facility by Dec 2018'

Union Minister of State for Law and Justice, Electronics and Information Technology, P P Chaudhary, has said that India is global leader in information technology and the Union government is trying its level best to digitise education and health and agriculture sectors.

Addressing a gathering during a programme at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital here on Thursday, the minister said that India is rich in human resources and lauded the youth for achieving greater heights in the field of information technology.

“With digitisation of education, health and agriculture sectors, it is possible to offer quality service to rural India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working hard for the development of the nation. Modi works 14 to 18 hours a day,” Chaudhary said.

Chaudhary said that ayurveda, which is practiced in rural areas, has greater scope in the future. MLC Lehar Singh, principal Dr Prasanna N Rao and BJP district president Yoga Ramesh were also present.

Education priority
Addressing the media, the Union minister said, by December 2018, all the 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country will be provided with internet facility.

The Centre has been successful in providing internet connectivity to one lakh GPs in the last three years. “The remaining 1.5 lakh GPs will be provided with the facility by installing optical fibres. With this, 85 crore people, living in rural areas, will get internet facilities,” he said.

“The government is committed to accord priority to education. Even today, people in rural areas are deprived of quality education. The officials have been directed to identify a few schools and hospitals, and provide quality service using technology on a pilot basis,” he added.

Speaking about the presidential candidate, Chaudhary said, the BJP high command will take a decision. Replying to a query on the contempt of court by Calcutta High Court judge Justice C S Karnan, the Union Minister said, the Supreme Court will take a decision on the issue.
DH News Service