From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, June 9: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Narayan has promised that internet connectivity in rural areas provided under Centre’s BharatNet will be improved significantly in the next two to three months.

Dr Narayan, who is heading the portfolios of Higher Education, Information Technology and Biotechnology, Science and Technology and Skill development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, was speaking to media after a video confrerence with heads of different agencies and officials on improving the quality of internet in rural areas in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

``I have reviewed the progress of the BharatNet implementation and the steps to be taken to improve the quality of internet connectivity in the next two to three months,’’ he said.

Dr Narayan mentioned that the government has also discussed the possibility of giving the implementaiton of BharatNet to a different agency. We will seek permission from the Central government and continue project.

``We will ease communication with rural people by ensuring quality and high speed internet to all Gram Panchayats, he said. 

BSNL officials and other agency representatives who attended the video conference explained problems faced by them.

``I have assured them to solve their problems through proper coordination, Dr Narayan said besides ensuring higher speed and better quality of service.

``Through BharatNet, several government schemes are being implemented in rural areas. Civic Service Centres are issuing birth and death certificates, aadhar, social security pension among others,’’ he said.

Of the total 6,000 Gram Panchayats in the State, 4,000 have good high speed internet connectivity. The remaining grama panchayats will be provided with better internet connectivity through a new agency, Dr Narayan said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the lockdown for over two months following the COVID 19 pandemic and the restrictions on the movement of people had resulted in an increase in the internet usage even in rural areas to a significant level. The increase was to an extent of 30 to 40 per cent, he said.

There are 93,834 subscribers to BharatNet who have used 30,239 GB between January and May. This is the highest in the recent years, said Dr Narayan.

Additioanl Secretary (e-governance) Rajeev Chawla, Additional Chief Secretary (IT-BT) E V Ramana Reddy, Princiapl Secretary (RDPR) Uma Mahadevan, Director (IT) Meean Nagaraj, Collegiate Education Director Pradeep and other senior officials were present.