Government Unveils Ambitious 'Digital Sampark Yojana': ₹1.5 Lakh Crore Push for Universal Broadband, Digital Literacy

**New Delhi, November 28, 2023:** In a landmark move poised to reshape India's digital landscape, the Union Cabinet today approved the ambitious 'Digital Sampark Yojana,' a monumental ₹1.5 lakh crore national initiative designed to ensure universal high-speed internet access and foster digital literacy across every corner of the nation by 2027.

The scheme, championed by the Ministry of Communications, aims to bridge the persistent digital divide, particularly in rural and underserved regions, through a multi-pronged approach combining robust infrastructure development with extensive digital skill-building programmes.

Addressing a press conference in the capital, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad, hailed the Yojana as a 'cornerstone of a truly empowered New India.' He stated, "This is not just about wires and modems; it's about empowering every Indian with the tools of the 21st century.

From a farmer in Rajasthan accessing market prices digitally, to a student in Nagaland attending online classes, the Digital Sampark Yojana will ensure that no one is left behind in our journey towards a digitally enabled society and a knowledge economy."

Key points

* **Universal Broadband Access:** Aim to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to all 600,000+ villages across India by 2027.

* **Massive Investment:** Allocation of ₹1.5 lakh crore over the next five years, combining central government funds, state contributions, and significant private sector investment through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

* **Digital Literacy Mission:** Launch of an expanded 'Digital Saaksharta Abhiyan' (Digital Literacy Mission) targeting 500 million citizens with essential digital skills, focusing on women, farmers, artisans, and small entrepreneurs.

* **Infrastructure Upgrade:** Leveraging and significantly expanding the existing BharatNet optical fibre network, while also integrating advanced technologies like 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) and satellite broadband for difficult terrains.

* **New Regulatory Body:** Establishment of a 'Digital Sampark Authority' (DSA) to oversee implementation, ensure quality of service, and foster innovation within the digital connectivity ecosystem.

Detailed blueprints for the Yojana reveal a phased implementation strategy.

The first phase, slated for completion by late 2025, will focus on connecting the remaining 250,000 villages that currently lack robust optical fibre connectivity.

This will primarily involve the expansion of the BharatNet network, which has faced challenges in achieving its previous targets.

The government plans to streamline procurement processes and offer lucrative incentives to private telecom operators and internet service providers (ISPs) to participate actively in the last-mile delivery of services.

"We have learned valuable lessons from previous connectivity initiatives," stated Dr.

Anjali Singh, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT). "The Digital Sampark Yojana incorporates a flexible technology-agnostic approach, allowing for the deployment of the most suitable and cost-effective solutions for each region.

This includes a substantial push for local manufacturing of network equipment under the 'Make in India' initiative, ensuring not just digital self-reliance but also job creation within the country."

The digital literacy component, the 'Digital Saaksharta Abhiyan,' will establish over 200,000 Digital Sampark Centres at the Gram Panchayat level.

These centres will offer free, modular training in foundational digital skills, including safe internet usage, digital payments, accessing government services online, and basic entrepreneurial digital tools.

The curriculum is being developed in collaboration with leading educational institutions and tech companies, with content available in all scheduled Indian languages.

Official data from the DoT indicates that while urban internet penetration stands at a robust 70-75%, rural penetration lags significantly at approximately 45-50%.

Only about 30% of rural households have active broadband connections.

The Digital Sampark Yojana aims to push rural broadband penetration to over 90% by 2027, fostering a more equitable digital landscape.

The government projects that this initiative could add an additional 1.5-2% to India's GDP over the next five years, primarily through enhanced productivity, new digital businesses, and improved access to education and healthcare services.

Background

The Digital Sampark Yojana builds upon the foundational vision of 'Digital India' launched in 2015, which aimed to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

Previous efforts, particularly the BharatNet project, have laid considerable fibre optic infrastructure, connecting over 200,000 Gram Panchayats.

However, challenges related to last-mile connectivity, service delivery, and inadequate utilisation of the infrastructure have persisted.

The COVID-19 pandemic starkly highlighted the critical importance of digital access for education, work, and essential services, making the digital divide a more urgent national priority.

This new policy represents a strategic pivot, addressing the operational bottlenecks and intensifying focus on both infrastructure and human capacity building, recognising that connectivity alone is insufficient without digital literacy.

What it means

This initiative marks a profound shift towards genuine digital inclusion.

Economically, it promises to unleash a wave of rural entrepreneurship, facilitate direct benefit transfers more efficiently, and integrate rural economies into the national and global digital marketplace.

Farmers can access real-time mandi prices, weather forecasts, and agricultural advisories.

Small businesses can expand their reach through e-commerce platforms.

Socially, the Yojana will democratise access to quality education and tele-medicine services, bridging urban-rural disparities in critical sectors.

It will also bolster e-governance, making public services more accessible and transparent.

For the private sector, it opens up massive opportunities in network deployment, service provision, digital content creation, and skilling programmes.

However, success hinges on meticulous execution, robust maintenance of infrastructure, and a sustained effort to overcome language barriers and ensure content relevance for diverse populations.

Reactions

The announcement has largely been met with optimism across various sectors. **Mr.

Nitesh Kumar, President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)**, commented, "This is a visionary step that will catalyse immense growth.

The ₹1.5 lakh crore investment signals strong government commitment and will attract significant private capital, creating a vibrant ecosystem for telecommunications, IT, and related industries.

We anticipate a surge in demand for digital products and services in rural areas."

**Dr.

Meena Sharma, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Digital Governance Studies**, lauded the dual focus: "The inclusion of a strong digital literacy component alongside infrastructure is crucial.

Connectivity without capability is an incomplete solution.

This integrated approach has the potential to genuinely empower citizens and reduce inequalities."

However, some voices urged caution. **Mr.

Arjun Reddy, spokesperson for a major opposition party**, while welcoming the intent, remarked, "The government's previous track record with BharatNet shows significant delays and underutilisation.

While the ambition is commendable, the real test will be in the efficient and corruption-free implementation, ensuring last-mile connectivity actually reaches the common man and is not merely an optical illusion on paper.

We will closely monitor the utilisation of public funds."

Civil society organisations emphasized the need for data privacy and security. **Ms.

Priya Singh, Director of the Digital Rights Foundation**, stated, "As we expand digital access, it is imperative to simultaneously strengthen data protection frameworks and ensure that vulnerable populations are not exposed to new forms of digital exploitation.

Universal access must come with universal rights and security."

What happens next

The immediate next steps involve the formal constitution of the Digital Sampark Authority (DSA) and the appointment of its key personnel.

Detailed operational guidelines and tendering processes for infrastructure development and service provision are expected to be released within the next three months.

Pilot projects for the Digital Saaksharta Abhiyan are anticipated to commence in select districts by early 2024, allowing for refinements before a nationwide rollout.

The Ministry of Communications will establish a multi-stakeholder steering committee comprising government officials, industry experts, and civil society representatives to ensure transparent monitoring and evaluation of the Yojana's progress against its ambitious targets.

Inter-ministerial coordination with ministries like Education, Rural Development, and Panchayati Raj will be crucial for seamless integration and maximum impact at the grassroots level.