New Delhi: Our goal for the next four to five years is really to use the power of digital to bring all stakeholders on board, said Dr Rajendra Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), while addressing the virtual ‘Digital Bharat 2022’ organised by Ministry of Electronics and IT and Ministry of Communications and FICCI.

Dr Kumar outlined the government's vision comprising eight elements - for broad basing digital in transforming the nation's governance, society and economy. These include providing quality digital infrastructure, focusing on digital governance, digital economy growth, usage of emerging tech, modernisation of digital law, cyber security, skill and talent, and encouragement and promotion of the start-up ecosystem. 

“MEITY is making a lot of efforts to ensure that our tech ecosystem can compete and grow in the years to come,” he said, adding that the government has announced that the digital economy will reach a $1 trillion market over the next five years. The electronics manufacturing industry is projected to reach US $ 300 billion by 2026, of which US $ 120 billion is expected to come from exports.

In the fiscal ending March 31, 2022, the exports of mobile phones increased by 75 per cent, and electronics were up by 50 per cent. The production value of mobile devices has crossed 37 billion in 21-22, up from three billion in FY 15. About 98 per cent of all mobile phones used in India are Made in India, and the country is now becoming an exporter.

Virat Bhatia, Chairman, Mobile Manufacturing and Communications Committee, FICCI, said that India's ICT and mobile Industry is at the forefront in driving the transformation of technology-enabled businesses and social and economic reforms. In addition, initiatives like Aadhaar, Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Digital India, and technologies like data analytics and AI are not just transforming but making India the leading global market in digital transformation. 

“Digital India has also already laid a solid foundation. Now, as a country, we must look within and build on the digital advantage. Still, with an eye on the globe", he said, adding, "we need to compete hard in the space as global competition in the next few years will be decisive for India in stimulating employment and getting back as one of the fastest-growing large economies,” he added.

Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce and Information Technology (IT), Government of Telangana, highlighted the state government's project T-fibre that aims to provide optic fibre cable to every household within the next ten months. He stressed on the need to find tech-enabled solutions to address the needs of the common person. 

“You have to roll out as many technology-enabled solutions as possible, which address the most pressing pain points of the common person,” he said, adding that the Government of Telangana has rolled out 80 plus technology-enabled interventions for agriculture in the state.

Nand Kumarum, Managing Director, MPSEDC on behalf of the Science and Technology Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, pointed to the accessibility issues in the design of tech-enabled solutions. He pointed to three kiosk models in Madhya Pradesh - e-District Lokseva Kendra, 40000 kiosks under MP Online, and CSCs. Dr Ajay Data, Co-Chair, IT and ITeS Committee, FICCI, Chairman of UASG, ICANN, and CEO, Data Xgen Technologies, also shared their perspective. /BI/