(a) the list of rural areas that are deprived of digital communication, State-wise; and
(b) the steps taken by the Government to enhance digital literacy in the rural areas?
(a) the list of rural areas that are deprived of digital communication, State-wise; and
(b) the steps taken by the Government to enhance digital literacy in the rural areas?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS,
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)
(a) As per the data collected from the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) field units in 2019, it is estimated that there are 27,721 inhabited villages (as per census 2011 data) in the country, which are not covered by mobile services. The details are given at Annexure.
(b) Government has launched Digital India Programme to enhance digital literacy in rural areas under which following steps are taken by the Government:
i. To realize the objective of attaining digital literacy, the Government has launched two schemes, namely ‘National Digital Literacy Mission’ and ‘Digital Saksharta Abhiyan’. The major aim of the schemes was to cover one person from every eligible family to be made digitally literate so as to enable them to use IT and related applications and participate effectively in the democratic process and enhance their livelihood. Both these schemes were implemented concurrently across the country under which a total of 53.67 lakh beneficiaries were trained and duly certified.
ii. The Government of India has approved a scheme titled “Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)” to usher in digital literacy in rural India by covering 6 crore rural households (one person per household). Under the Scheme, so far, a total of 3.31 crore individuals have been enrolled, out of which training has been imparted to 2.67 crore individuals and 1.97 crore individuals have been duly certified.