Kerala Budget: Digital push rides on subsidised laptop computer plan, fibre community venture

By Express News Service
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The funds proposed a subsidised laptop computer distribution programme geared toward making a digital society. Laptops shall be distributed at half the associated fee to kids belonging to fishing and scheduled communities, and Antyodaya households. A subsidy of 25% shall be offered to different households under poverty line. According to the finance minister, offering laptops at each family is the subsequent logical step after the digitisation of colleges. 

The value after subsidy for laptops will be paid by the KSFE Micro Chit Fund inside three years.The authorities will announce the inauguration of the primary part of the Kerala Fibre Optic Network (KFON) venture, an formidable IT infrastructure venture of the state to make web accessible to everybody, by February, the FM stated. With the venture set to be accomplished by July, the minister additionally introduced that no monopoly can be allowed within the state’s web freeway. The funds allotted Rs 166 crore for the venture.

“While we need steps to reduce the digital divide, it would be unrealistic to say that it would protect livelihood. Welfare measures shouldn’t be promoted as livelihood schemes. The government has to think beyond providing the infrastructure,” stated Joseph C Mathew, info know-how adviser to former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan.“The government’s focus is on procurement which we have seen in the KITE projects.”

Okay-FON Internet pace 10 mbps to 1 gbps Will facilitate e-governance system, e-commerce and digital providers, and fields like synthetic intelligence, block chain and Internet of Things.