ICT policy to empower citizen

Communications Minister Kapil Sibal along with stakeholders aim to empower citizens and ensure transparency and accountability in governance. They met on Tuesday to draft National Information Communications Technology (ICT) Policy-2011. Industry leaders also suggested creation of funds under the policy to support Indian companies in coming up with innovative products.

While Internet Service Providers Association of India (ISPAI) proposed to make Internet a fundamental right under the policy, stating that many countries have already done this, HCL Infosystems proposed to bring in low-cost devices in the country offering access to Internet.

"Access to Internet should be made a fundamental right," said Rajesh Charia, president, ISPAI.

The minister also emphasized that the endeavour is not only to promote the growth of IT industry but to use information and communications technology for empowering citizens and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance through reliable and efficient delivery of public services.

Some of the objectives sought to be achieved include providing e-infrastructure for delivery of e-services, enabling creation of innovative research and development infrastructure in emerging areas of ICT and securing India's cyber space.