Digital India to bridge urban-rural divide: Jaitley

In a bid to bridge the digital divide in the country, the government Thursday proposed launching a pan-India programme, Digital India, to provide broadband connectivity and other IT facilities at village level.

"A National Rural Internet and Technology Mission for services in villages and schools, training in IT skills and e-Kranti for government service delivery and governance scheme is also proposed at a cost of Rs.500 crore," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said presenting his maiden budget in the Lok Sabha.

He said this programme would ensure greater transparency in government processes and increased indigenous production of IT hardware and software for exports and improved domestic availability.

Jaitley said special focus would be given on supporting software product startups.