Increase state autonomy for e-manufacturing: KTR

SPEAKING ON the “digital revolution”, the theme of the conference, Mr Rama Rao said digital literacy, infrastructure and innovation were the key in order to reach the common man.

IT minister K.T. Rama Rao on Friday spoke up for greater state autonomy in order to increase electronics manufacturing activity in Telangana state.

Speaking directly to MeitY (Union ministry of electronics and IT) secretary Ajay Prakash Sawhney, one of the attendees, Rama Rao said India needed to take advantage of the opportunities in the post-Covid world and bring electronic manufacturing to the country.

“We can’t let go of this opportunity. Telangana, in fact, has exhausted all spaces available to it in its two manufacturing clusters. I request (MeitY) to not be confined by how much states can do; if a state wants to do more, have more manufacturing parks, why not encourage them,” he asked during a digital conference organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Telangana state, on Friday.

Mr Rama Rao, illustrating his point, noted that the network of satellites was under the control of the Centre. “Why not allow the states to have their own satellites in orbit? It might seem audacious, but we have to set the bar high,” he said. The minister said this would be of great help to states in promoting digital education.

Speaking on the “digital revolution”, the theme of the conference, Mr Rama Rao said digital literacy, infrastructure and innovation were the key in order to reach the common man. “We have to roll out 5G, fibregrid to every household. Internet access needs to be looked at as if it is a basic right, just like electricity and drinking water,” he said.

Mr Rama Rao also argued for cooperation and collaboration between states. “All states might be doing something really well. We need to give leverage to the collective mind; there is no need to reinvent the wheel every time. Hyderabad can’t just compete with Bengaluru or Chennai anymore; it has to compete with Shanghai, Hong Kong and Silicon Valley,” the minister said.

“Here, I think, the government of India can step in and act as a facilitator by sharing with everyone the best practices.” Others present in the conference included state IT secretary Jayesh Ranjan and Omkar Rai, director general, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).