DNA Money Edit: Will DigiGaon click with rural users?

Digital India programme has been one of the key pillars for bridging the connectivity divide between urban and rural areas. The concept of Digital villages or Digi Gaon stems from the fact that despite a mobile user base of over 1 billion, only 50% of the people in India are connected through the internet. The main aim of the Digi Goan project is to create digital literacy, financial inclusion and offer digital access to various government services.

The Interim Budget this year announced setting up of one lakh digital villages in the next five years through Common Service Centers (CSCs), which are acting as a cornerstone of the Digital India programme of the government. CSCs have become access points for delivery of various electronic services to villages in India, enabling a digitally- and financially-inclusive society.

Besides connecting people in rural areas through the internet, it will also enable better access to health and education services. In the Digi Gaon scheme, there is a provision of community access to IT-enabled resource centre, Wifi and LED street lighting and setting up of semi-skilled assembly or manufacturing units. However, it remains to be seen if there will be demand for internet services in these areas as merely providing connectivity won't solve any purpose. One has to create specific programmes meant for rural people, in line with their requirements. Also, not all will be able to pay for accessing internet services.

BharatNet, the government's programme to connect all gram panchayats, has been facing delays. Once the fibre connectivity through BharatNet reaches all planned panchayats, there will be 90% penetration of internet services across India. Though there has been a surge in mobile data consumption through 4G services, it has mainly happened in urban areas.

Rural India is the next target of the government and private telecom players alike to bring them onto the internet pedestal.