Digitisation has helped reduce graft, says Modi at NASSCOM
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded the work done by his government in the digital sector, stressing that the efforts reduced corruption in procurement and tendering processes for infrastructure and housing projects, among others.
He added that the government’s decision to liberalise geospatial data --- previously hindered by security concerns --- was a testimony to India’s confidence, referring to the move allowing private domestic companies to conduct surveying and mapping without prior government approvals.
“Security was a primary concern when it came to not allowing firms to access geospatial data,” Modi said, speaking at the Leadership and Technology Forum organised by IT industry grouping NASSCOM.
“However, India is full of confidence. We are seeing what is happening at the borders,”he added, without explicitly mentioning the thaw in ties with China and the ongoing disengagement of Indian and Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Pangong Tso after months of stand-off.
Modi said the decision to liberalise geospatial data and map-making was not just restricted to the area of technology, nor should it be seen as another administrative reform where the government exits a particular field. “This decision is illustrative of India’s capabilities. India is confident that even after this decision, we can ensure our security and also give an opportunity for the country’s young population to excel at the world stage,” he added.
Modi also said his government worked towards bridging the digital divide, lifted restrictions the hindered the tech industry, democratised data, and appealed to India’s information and technology (IT) sector to focus on a culture of excellence and institution building.
“People used to raise all kinds of questions about the government’s procurement process for various projects,” the PM said. “But now, we use the transparent system --- the government’s e-market place, or GEM --- which has enabled us to invite tenders online.”
Due to some reasons, the large domestic market of India could not be used by the IT industry, he said, in a veiled criticism of past governments.
“The digital divide in the country kept increasing because of this. In a sense it was a period of ‘diya tale andhera (darkness under the lamp)’. Our government has changed this. The government has lifted unnecessary restrictions on the tech industry.” He said there was a need to create world-class products that will set the global benchmark of excellence, and pointed out that the domestic market of over 1.3 billion people was the biggest asset for companies. HT reached out to the Congress, but did not receive a response immediately.
Referring to his government’s flagship programme, Modi said Digital India connected citizens to the government. “We have also democratised data. Online delivery of services has helped the lowerand middle-classes to find relief from corruption,” he said. Modi said India had moved from being a heavily cash dependent economy to one that uses digital transactions. “The more digital transactions happen, the more we reduce the prevalence of black money,” he said.
MODI SAID THAT THE GOVT’S DECISION TO LIBERALISE GEOSPATIAL DATA --PREVIOUSLY HINDERED BY SECURITY CONCERNS --- WAS A TESTIMONY TO INDIA’S CONFIDENCE