(a) the present status of the Digital India Initiative;
(b) whether United States of America has agreed for collaboration in implementing the Digital India Initiative;
(c) if so, the details thereof and whether the US has signed any agreement in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the other steps taken by the Government to make Digital India a success?
MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)
(a): Government of India is implementing the “Digital India” programme with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and a knowledge economy. The programme aims to provide the much needed thrust to certain growth areas, namely broadband highways, access to mobile connectivity, access to public internet, e-Governance, electronic delivery of services and electronic manufacturing. The programme is being coordinated by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) and being implemented by the entire Government. Strengthening Common Service Centres (CSCs) would be integral to the Digital India concept. Government Process Re-engineering (GPR) under this umbrella programme entails reforming government through technology including using IT, electronic databases, workflow automation etc. Electronic delivery of services through E-Kranti focuses on Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) in e-Governance and includes e-Education, e-Healthcare, technology for farmers, technology for security, technology for financial inclusion. Technology for planning through GIS based decision making for project planning, conceptualization, design & development, as well as technology for cyber security are key components of the programme. Online hosting of information and documents, usage of social media and web based platforms to inform citizens, online messaging to citizens on special occasions/ programs through emails and SMSes is envisaged. MyGov.in has been launched as a platform to exchange ideas/ sugges- tions with Government.
(b): Yes, Sir.
(c) and (d): A Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) for cooperation in the field of Information & Communications Technology and Electronics (ICTE) was signed between Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) of the Government of India and the Department of State of the Government of the United States of America on 23.01.2015.
This JDI aims to develop and strengthen industrial, technological, research & innovation and economic cooperation between India and U.S. in the ICTE sector, explore opportunities for collaboration in India’s ambitious Digital India programme, Electronics manufa- cturing and Human Resource Development in ICTE sector through cooperation among private and public entities of both countries in a focused manner under the umbrella of ongoing India-US ICT Dialogue.
India-US ICT Working Group meeting was held in Washington DC, during Jan 14-15, 2015 wherein it was agreed to con- tinue to explore the opportunities for collaboration on implementing Digital India initiative, with the goal of enhancing digital infrastructure, deploying e-Governance and e-services etc.
(e): A conference of IT Ministers & IT Secretaries of States/UTs has been organised to sensitise states about Digital India programme. Also, several consultations and workshops with various Government Departments at the centre and states and other stakeholders have been held in a number of areas such as Mobile as an instrument of digital identity and financial inclusion, Private space on a public cloud, Open APIs, Universally Accessible Digital Resources, Use of GIS and Space Technologies etc.