In the recent Union Budget 2022–23 presentation, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of digital banking units, 5G spectrum auction, taxation on NFT and cryptocurrency, e-Vidya Project, etc. Meanwhile, there are villages still in the media-dark. As the Government is helping in the evolution of the urban areas economically, digitally and socially, these villages are fading into oblivion.
There are areas in India devoid of electricity supply, literacy and mobile network services. According to data recorded by the Communication Ministry in 2021, over 25,000 villages still don’t have mobile or internet connectivity. Moreover, the villagers are unaware of political, economic and social schemes and programmes launched by the Government.
Though CSC and BharatNet accommodated a few villages in 2020, a large section of the population is still living under the rock. Even the media can hardly reach these areas. As the literacy rate is poor, print media is out of the question.
Electronic media requires electrification. The e-Vidya Project is a myth for the people of these villages.
As of March 2021, Odisha had the maximum number of villages without mobile or internet services. Over 6000 villages in Odisha were far away from the concept of “digitalisation”.
With the advanced steps towards digitalisation, the Government also needs to bring those digitally dark areas on track. For this, the communication facilities should be ensured as some villages don’t have roads.
Basic healthcare is a mirage. Though the Government has launched toll-free numbers for immediate ambulance service, these villagers are oblivious to such facilities as they have no sources to get the information. Again, the lack of network connectivity plays a crucial role.
Neither do these villages have banks, nor do the villagers have bank accounts. For example, the Kandhamal and Malkangiri districts of Odisha have about six bank branches per block whereas, ideally, it should be 20 branches per block. As a result, the villagers have to travel 15–20 kilometres for bank loans.
When the Government mentions digital banking units, it must ensure there are enough physical units in rural areas.
This is not to say that the Government shouldn’t carry out such innovative schemes. But it must also find ways to enlighten those living in the dark for decades, who are in need of all the subsidised facilities, the fundamental provisions and the schemes for rural development before jumping into the idea of advanced technologies.