Lok Sabha Question No. 2739 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Expansion of Digital India Programme
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Lumbaram Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2739

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 11.12.2024

## EXPANSION OF DIGITAL INDIA PROGRAMME

## †2739. SHRI LUMBA RAM:

Will the Minister of Electronics and Information Technology be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Digital  India  Programme  has  been  implemented  to  promote  e-education,  ehealth, e-commerce, e-skill, e-agro, e-weather info and e-governance in rural areas;
- (b) whether  it  is  proposed  to  connect  all  the  gram  panchayats,  Government  schools  and primary health centers of Jalore and Sirohi districts with broadband facilities under the said programme;
- (c) if so, the number of gram panchayats, Government schools and primary health centers connected so far;
- (d) the details of the likely  benefits to the people through the expansion of Digital India Programme; and
- (e) the various measures being taken by the Government to improve and expand the said programme in a comprehensive manner?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (e):  The Digital India initiative has significantly accelerated internet penetration and spurred growth in India. Government of India had launched the Digital India programme in 2015 to ensure digital access, digital inclusion, and digital empowerment. The overall goal is to  ensure  that  digital  technologies  improve  the  life  of  every  citizen,  expand  India's  digital economy, and create investment and employment opportunities in India.

Digital  India  has  contributed  to  the  rapid  expansion  of  internet  access,  through  initiatives such as BharatNet, which aims to provide high-speed internet to rural and remote areas. As a result,  there  has  been  a  substantial  increase  in  internet  accessibility  and  usage  across  the country,  and  internet  penetration  in  India  has  grown  dramatically  in  the  last  decade. According to recent statistics, India is one of the largest internet markets in the world, with over 94 crore internet users (Source: Telecom Subscriptions Reports dated 21 st November, 2024).

Department of Telecommunications is implementing BharatNet project to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages. The infrastructure created under BharatNet project is a national asset, accessible on a non-discriminatory basis to the Service Providers.

On  04.08.2023,  the  Union  Cabinet  has  approved  the  expanded  BharatNet  Program  for providing  connectivity  to  2,64,554  GPs  includes  the  existing  GPs  those  are  already  service ready. As part of the project, the last mile connectivity to access broadband or internet services is to be provided through Wi-Fi in public places or any other suitable broadband technology. The other suitable technologies include Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines at Government institutions such as schools, hospitals, post offices, police stations, etc.

As of October, 2024; 2,14,283 GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in the country. In the state of Rajasthan, 8,997 Gram Panchayats (including 274 GPs of Jalore and 162 GPs of Sirohi districts)have been made service ready.

In  August  2023,  the  Government  approved  the  expansion/  extension  of  the  Digital  India programme with a total  outlay  of  ₹  14,903.25  crore  during  the  period  of  the  15 th Finance Commission i.e., 2021-22 to 2025-26. The main benefits of the expansion/ extension of the Digital India programme are as follows:

- (i) Ensuring  the  availability  of  trained  human  resources  for  the  manufacturing  and service sectors of the electronics and IT industry.
- (ii) Empowering  citizens  digitally  through  digital  public  infrastructure/  platforms  and digital inclusion.
- (iii) Providing high speed connectivity to academic and research institutes and Government institutions.
- (iv) Promoting  the  development  of  manufacturing  capabilities  and  Atma  Nirbharata  in electronics and IT hardware.
- (v) Promoting the creation of a sustainable software industry leveraging India's strength in the IT sector, disruptive innovations, and cutting-edge technology.
- (vi) Promoting  research  in  core  and  applied  areas  including  Supercomputing,  Quantum Technology, Blockchain and Artificial intelligence, etc.
- (vii) Creating near real-time cyber security situational awareness at the national level for enhancing cyber security in the country.

(viii) Promoting digital payments and transparency in transactions.

<!-- image -->