A digital divide is an economic and social inequality with regard to access to, use of, or impact of information and communication technologies (ICT). World Development Report 2016, Digital Dividends talks of digital paradox.
Paradox – IT powerhouse and huge digital divide:
- Higher cost for residential broadband connection is an impeding factor
- Apart from digital divide there also exists a gap in adoption of digital technology across different demographic groups within the country.
- Digital capability gap – The capability gap arising out of the overall business climate and the quality of human capital
- Also though use of internet has increased in urban areas but there lies huge gaps in Digital dividends – broader development benefits from using digital technologies
- The slow pace of improvement of the quality of basic infrastructure —
- India has made considerable strides in improving its human capital, but a vast majority of its population still lacks the skills to meaningfully participate in the digital economy.
Govt Initiatives:
- India scored highly on the government’s use of technology and following are the major initiatives taken to bridge the gap. The government of India has declared IT as one of the thrust areas for the country’s development and has recognized it as an essential service. States like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharastra, West Bengal and Tamil Naidu have been playing a significant role in introducing IT for industrial and economic development.
- Digital india: Provides an ‘enabling’ platform -broadband highways (NOFN), 100% mobile density, electronic manufacturing.
- Kisan call centres: Provides agriculture extension services all over India
- Start-up India; and innovative applications of Aadhaar such as JAM and Digital Lockers.
- Bhoomi project of Karnataka: Digitalization of land records
- Gyandhoot of Maharshtra: means “Knowledge Messenger,” is the first ever project in India for a rural information network
Challenges:
- Need to ensure digital literacy
- Provision of broadband conections
- Many regional language users find it tough to use internet
- Lack of models to train vast human capital necessary for making optimal use of the technology
Way forward:
- Development of Telkom and IT infrastructure in order to provide universal affordable Internet access
- Training workers in new skills
- Beefing up regulations to ensure competition
Digital revolution is fundamental for inclusive growth. But greater digital adoption will not be enough, there needs to be progress in the way these technologies are put to use for the socio-economic progress.
