DPI could help unlock a massive opportunity in the purple sector

Source: The post Digital Public Infrastructure unlocking a massive opportunity in the purple sector has been created on the article “DPI could help unlock a massive opportunity in the purple sector” published in “Live mint” on 27th November 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance- E-governance- applications, models, successes, limitations, and potential.

GS Paper1- Society- Social Empowerment

News: The article highlights the massive opportunity that Digital Public Infrastructure presents when applied in the purple sector. Disability-inclusive infrastructure using DPI can generate a special market boom and help India’s economy.

What is the Purple Sector of an Economy?

The term “purple sector,” symbolizing disability with the color purple, encompasses a diverse workforce. This includes individuals with disabilities, as well as special educators, rehabilitation professionals, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs and innovators who focus on developing products and services for individuals with special needs. It constitutes a substantial and intricately segmented sector.

For more information on DPI- Read here

What is the significance of DPI in the purple sector?

1. Enhanced employment opportunities to disabled- Transportation Apps, educational apps for disabled, etc, based on DPI platform enhances employment opportunities for the disabled. For ex- Namma Yatri app for providing accessible transportation to the disabled.
2. Increase in government revenues- Increased employment opportunities to the disabled community, which constitute around 150 million population in India (WHO), increases the tax base of the government.
3. Increased expenditure in the economy- Persons with disabilities, along with their friends and families, command large quantum of spending power. Disability friendly shopping apps based on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), enhance the economic stature of disabled people as both customers and value-creators.
4. Social benefits like Health care and Education- Disabled focussed apps for health and education based on the Open Network for Education and Skilling Transactions (ONEST) and Unified Health Interface (UHI) platforms, can help people with disabilities take up skill development courses, find specialist healthcare experts, etc.

What Measures has the government taken for increasing accessibility for the disabled?

1. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016: The Act has several provisions for benefit of persons with disabilities like it has increased the magnitude of reservation for Persons with Disabilities in government jobs and education institutes.
2. Accessible India Campaign: The aim of the Campaign is to make a barrier free and conducive environment for Persons with Disabilities, with a focus on built up environment, transportation, and ICT ecosystem.

For more information on govt initiatives Read Here

What should be the way forward in building disability friendly apps?

1. Discoverability- Products and services meant to cater to their special needs as well as those offered by persons with disabilities must be made available to a wider market.
2. Trust- We must ensure that right persons are identified for various services and initiatives to instil trust in these apps. Data privacy must be of paramount importance.
3. Access- Products and services should be accessible in both physical and digital formats.
4. Cost of Innovation- We should focus on lowering the cost of innovation or developing novel products and services for persons with special needs.

Question for Practice

“Digital Public Infrastructure has been driving the socio-economic development of India”. Explain the statement with special reference to DPI’s role in purple sector of the economy.