Digital literacy must for breaking divides: CM

Digital literacy must for breaking divides: CM

GUWAHATI, March 14: “A digital society is where barriers are broken down and divides are removed for the people to access information through which they can build the foundation for a successful life. Knowledge is power in today’s world and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan is an ambitious programme launched by Prime Minister rendra Modi to digitally eble six crore people in the country.” Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal on Wednesday said while iugurating the awareness campaign for Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) at a programme organized by the State Information and Technology Department at Srimanta Sankradev Kalakshetra in the city.

PMGDISHA aims at imparting digital literacy to citizens in rural areas free of cost. It will create avenues for livelihood generation and fincial inclusion through digital payments and help bridge the digital divide. It is expected to reach around 40 per cent rural households in country by March 2019. Under it, people in rural area will be trained to operate computer tablets, smartphones etc., and how to access the internet, government services, undertake digital payment, compose e-mails, etc. The margilized section of society like SCs/STs, minorities, BPL families, divyangs all will be a part of this scheme.

Saying that Assam was able to set an example in front of the whole country by opening around 8 lakh bank accounts for tea garden workers in the aftermath of demonization drive which ebled digital payment to tea community, Sonowal said that society is ready to accept all transformative initiatives if steps are taken in the right direction. Around 19 lakh people are sought to be digitally empowered by March 2019 in the State under this Mission who would be able to take advantage of different digital services and the State Government is committed to put in place required infrastructure for ushering in this digital revolution to the grassroots, he added.      

Minister for Information and Technology Department Keshab Mahanta also spoke in the programme which was attended by Additiol Chief Secretary of IT Department Ravi Capoor, Secretary Nitin Khade and MD of AMTRON MK Yadav, among others.  

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