It will be mandatory for mobile phones to have two local languages from April 1

In a move aimed at giving a huge push to the digital movement as a whole and digital payment, in particular, the government has decided to make it mandatory for mobile manufacturing companies to provide at least two local languages in all cell phones. Following the decision, all mobile phones would have to have two local regional languages in it from April 1 next year.

According to government sources, the decision in this regard has been taken after the success of panic button feature in mobile phones. Interestingly, the decision to add a panic button in all phones were taken by Ravi Shankar Prasad, when he was the Telecom Minister and decision to mandate mobile companies to include two local languages has also been initiated by him in his capacity as the Minister of Electronics and IT.

“The decision would help in encouraging people living in rural, semi-and urban areas in availing the benefits of different government schemes. It’s been noticed that people living in rural areas do have smartphones, but they don’t use it much as most of the phones have English and Hindi as the operating language, which is a major constraint in the success of Digital India drive,” the source said.

All the mobile manufacturing companies, including Apple, have been directed to launch phones that support at least two local languages from April 1 next year, the sources said, adding that they (companies) have also agreed to follow the new norm.

“Given the upcoming general election in 2019, the government is working to roll out several people-centric and poorfriendly welfare schemes among the masses, which can be done through Digital India campaign,” the source said.

When the subscriber base of the country has the crossed 1 billion user mark, the move would help people knowing only a regional language to use the phone as per their convenience and avail different government schemes.