Minister of State for the Ministry of Electronics and IT K.J. Alphons said the Digital India program has the potential to provide an incremental 20 to 30 percent increase in India’s GDP by 2025, owing to the significant progress made under the scheme since its inception in July, 2015.
“IT never reached ordinary people, Digital India biggest revolution happening in the world,” added Alphons.
Highlighting the importance of digital technology in India’s development, he opined that it is bridging the gaps in financial and social inclusion with initiatives such as Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Digital is plugging the gaps in physical infrastructure to some extent with projects such as online courses. Thus, technology is an enabler for India to progress socially and economically, he said.
Alphons further said the success and brand established by the Indian software services industry needs to be leveraged with next wave of “Made in India” technology, products and innovations.
With the increase in internet penetration and availability of resources, many emerging technologies such as cloud computing, Internet of things (IoT), e-Commerce, mobile applications and so on have revolutionized the world of digitization.
“We are working on new policy, which will further spur electronics manufacturing. We are also coming out with cyber security product procurement policy, which will give preference to the domestic industry. We are working to create Data Protection Act which will provide a huge impetus to the digital economy. Rs. 12,500 crore worth opportunities are being opened for locker service providers. The Model RFQ being created for procurements of IT products,” said Dr Ajay Kumar, Additional Secretary, Department of Electronics and IT.
The minister and secretary were speaking at the inauguration of ASSOCHAM’s 13th National Summit on e-Governance and Digital India.
