Odisha to spread fibre optics to gram panchayat level

The Odisha government today decided to spread fibre optics down to the level of gram panchayats.
This was decided at a meeting between Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the state's technical advisor Sam Pitroda here.
"This will work as Information Supre Highway which will connect to various sectors such as education, agriculture, health and others," a release issued by the Chief Minister's Office said.
Besides, the optical fiber connectivity will help improve the service delivery mechanism and bring efficiency to poverty alleviation programmes too, it said adding that Patnaik thanked Pitroda for accepting the state's offer.
The Chief Minister also sought the cooperation of Pitroda in skill development sector for making the youths equipped for industry.

"We would like that the people of Odisha should realise that they are getting the benefit of the IT within very first year of our work. The IT applications can help people in health, education and agriculture," Pitroda told reporters.

Stating that the state government will first assess the present status of the state connectivity, Pitroda said it will then make plans for the future.
He expressed confidence that threre will be a significant change in the technology front of the state.
"IT will be used for improving education, agriculture, health, poverty alleviation and other sectors by digitally connecting those sectors," Pitroda said.

Before meeting the chief minister, Pitroda had discussion with officials and ministers of seven different departments to ensure that the priority sectors get benefit from the IT application.
"I have listed certain practical problems like how to make the tribal people aware of the IT," Odisha's IT minister Sanjay Dasburma said.
Besides helping the state to expand in IT, Pitroda is also expected to play a key role in Vision 2036 for Odisha@100. He will help provide the essential technological blueprint to write the IT story of Odisha, the government said.
As the state government is making a vision document for 2036 to celebrate the 100 years of its (Odisha) formation, the role of IT will be a key factor, the official said.