Ravi Shankar Prasad calls on Jayalalithaa

Union Law and Justice Miniser Ravi Shankar Prasad Thursday called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa here Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, he said he called on Jayalalithaa as he holds her in high respect and the discussions were fruitful.

"I explained to her the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. It is a great exercise of financial inclusion," said Prasad, who also holds the communications and information technology portfolio.

Prasad is here to launch the scheme while Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched it in New Delhi.

According to Prasad, the central government's another programme 'Digital India' will transform the entire Indian canvas by empowering every Indian with broadband connectivity.

He said the central government plans to cover about 60,000 panchayats this year and one lakh panchayats next year with broadband connectivity.

Prasad said the central government encourages manufacturers of electronics in a big way offering duty concessions and electronic clusters are also being developed.

He said Jayalalithaa responded positively to his request that Tamil Nadu which has a strong manufacturing base could utilise this opportunity.