Electronics Manufacturing To Generate 2.8 Crore Jobs In India, Says IT Minister

Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said electronic equipment manufacturing would be a top priority for the Modi-led BJP government, adding that it would generate employment to the tune of 2.80 crore jobs.

Due to the rising consumption of electronic goods in India, the demand is expected to increase to $400 billion by 2014 and within a few years, import of electronics will surpass the fuel bill.

Talking about the increasing participation of Chinese equipment manufacturing firms in the country and the potential security threat, the minister said, "I want to assure the nation that whosoever are the electronics manufacturers, India's security will always be of paramount."

Chinese equipment manufacturing firms, such as Huawei and ZTE, have faced some tough time in India over the past couple of years for alleged involvement in cyber espionage.

Prasad has already seen presentations from equipment makers such as Samsung and Nokia.

As a second priority, he has laid down the alignment of national optic fibre network.

The minister expects 50,000 gram panchayats to be connected by National Optic Fibre network by 2014-15, another 1 lakh by 2015-16 and by 2016-17, the remaining will be connected. According to him, every panchayat should have facilities like e-education, tele-medicine, etc.

“The government programme should be delivered to the panchayats. We have taken the issue very seriously," he said.

Prasad also said that the agenda to improve the situation of the State-owned BSNL and MTNL would be addressed on a priority basis. "Both these organisations have not received the attention they needed. They need proper infrastructure support and my government is committed to give them that." He also proposed to set up a system in his chamber from where he can gauge towers of these State-owned firms.

The minister, however, refused to comment on the key issues of the sector such as spectrum sharing, improving the merger & acquisition scenario or even the next round of spectrum auctions.

The ministry, which is plagued with controversies, saw favouritism to some firms during the tenure of the former telecom minister A. Raja. Prasad also said that during his tenure, all decisions would be taken on merit. "The days of lobbying and favouritism are over," he added.

The government is also keen to start a new programme for postal banking services as India has 1,55,000 post offices across the country and subsequently, a deep penetration and wide reach.
(Image: Facebook account of Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.)