LDF govt in Kerala to bridge digital divide

The Kerala government will upheld "Right to Internet" by ensuring that everyone has a certain amount of free bandwidth, Governor P Sathasivam said today, adding that the focus will also be on zero corruption.
Addressing the opening day of fourth session of the 14th Kerala Assembly here, he said the CPI(M)-led state government will take steps to ensure that all houses with electricity get internet connections, in a bid to bridge the digital divide.
"While our efforts for 100 per cent electrification are about to be fulfilled, the next step would be to ensure that all houses with electricity have internet connection too.

"My government will strive to bridge the digital divide," he said.
One thousand more Wi-Fi hotspots will be provided in public areas, he said, adding that the government was also committed to providing a hospitable environment for wooing investors.
"A new tourism policy to improve the investment climate in the state with regard to tourism products and services, especially in the less explored Malabar region, is also on the anvil," Justice (Retd) P Sathasivam said.

To make the state's digital infrastructure robust and efficient, a fibre network capable for providing high speed broadband connectivity to government establishments and households will also be put in place, he said.

"The government is committed to ensure ease of doing business and providing a hospitable environment for investment and to make Kerala number one state for 'Sustainable Responsible Industries' as well as for service industries through continuous skill development," he said.
The Governor further informed the Assembly that the state
government intended to formulate a comprehensive project through KFC to create a startup atmosphere, connecting innovation and entrepreneurship development centres of various colleges, Technology Business Incubators and other related agencies.
Massive reforms needed in this regard will also be taken up with a focus on zero corruption, he said.
The former CJI stated that the "wildly impulsive" version of demonetisation and immobilisation of cooperative sector had deeply affected the state's revenues.

Besides, Kerala was also in the midst of an unprecedented drought, which it had not faced in the last 115 years, he said.
The state proposes to set up 12 Hardware parks, including three mobile phone manufacturing parks, he said.
The Kerala Cooperative Bank, with all modern banking facilities, will be set up in the coming year to overcome the challenges faced by the cooperative sector post demonetisation.
The government will also clear projects worth Rs 10,000 crore by March and the resources will be provided by Kerala Infrastructure Fund Board (KIFB), Sathasivam added.