NEW DELHI, DHNS : BharatNet programme will generate 5 lakh new employment opportunities in the country, Communication Minister Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday.

Under the BharatNet, a total 1.03 lakh gram panchayats have been connected with optical fibre cable so far. The government aims to provide broadband connectivity to all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats by March 2019.

Linking the ambitious BharatNet programme to full-time jobs, he said that the installation of 2.5 lakh Wi-Fi hotspots as a part of the programme would directly employ as many as 5 lakh people.