Center eyeing 2nd generation revolution: Sam Pitroda

Calling it ‘democratisation of information’, Sam Pitroda, advisor to the prime minister on public information and infrastructure talked about the Centre’s ambitious ‘second-generation revolution’ in governance.

Speaking at a press conference in the city, Pitroda said the Centre will spend Rs1 lakh crore on the ambitious programme.  

“The national GIS programme, a platform for cyber-security and the plan to computerise courts and prisons and police as well are part of this programme,” said Pitroda.

He said this was perhaps the first government in the world to spend so much on second-generation of telecom revolution, the results of which will be seen after a decade or two.

Pitroda said that the need for such a system was warranted as the existing system cannot deliver the needs of our country. “The effort is to democratise information. At present, everybody is afraid to open the data but once these programmes are put in place all data will be in the public domain,” said Pitroda.

He said the creation of a public information network worth Rs12 to 15 crore was also on the cards. “Such a network will help connect all our universities, research institutions and colleges,” he said.

He also talked of plans to connect 250 panchayats through optical fibre, a plan that will require Rs30,000 crore but is likely to be finished in the next 18 months. 

On the IT situation in the state, he said it should be analysed at the two levels — IT business in Gujarat and its use in governance.

On business in the state, he said that Gujarat has missed the boat on account of several reasons but the primary among them is that educational institutes are not very strong like in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.