This development is planned under the Digital India program and will occur in a phased manner so that it can receive aid from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). While the rest of the country is enjoying internet at 3G and 4G speeds, lack of mobile connectivity is affecting development in remote areas. Therefore, if the government’s plan works out successfully, people in remote areas would be able to use technology to their benefit. Digital India Movement to cover all panchayats Offering mobile connectivity to remote areas is a major concern for the government. But government officials have said that an important factor for the movement is to offer high speed internet to remote areas. This is not all. The movement also aims at offering government services on the web and promoting electronic manufacturing. This move is expected to generate more jobs to reduce youth unemployment. The government has also covered 23,604 villages with optic fiber cables under the National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) project. Though the project has crossed its deadline, it is still an important achievement as 2.5 lakh panchayats are expected to come under this network by the end of 2016.
