Centre committed to improve connectivity in NE: Chauhan

October 10, 2021 33 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR , October 10: Union minister of state for communications Devusinh Jesingbhai Chauhan Saturday said connectivity of North East region was paramount and top priority of the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Asserting that North East region was very dear to Modi, he said the Prime Minister’s vision was to strengthen telecommunication connectivity in all the villages.

Though providing telecommunication services in the North Eastern states was challenging due to of the geographical conditions, Chauhan, however, said that the ministry has come up with new technologies and innovations to address and resolve the issues. With Prime Minister focussed on taking government services at the doorstep of people, Chauhan said their top priority was strengthen connectivity in region.

Addressing a meeting attended by state officials, department of telecommunication and posts at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex Chumukedima, Chauhan said the primary objective of his visit was to understand the challenges faced by the department, listen to suggestions and take right decision “to provide connectivity till the last mile”.

“With technological revolution comes strength and the real strength of democracy is connectivity. If connectivity reaches the last mile, then it is understood that democracy has reached the last mile,” said Chauhan.

Asserting the importance of connectivity, Chauhan said there was no sector which has not been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and with paradigm shift there was no sector which was not using online means for its operation. “To work online, connectivity is must. If there is connectivity, all the sectors can deliver service in any circumstances,” he said.

He also encouraged the officials present to discuss their difficulties and give suggestions so that together they could understand the challenges and come up with solution to provide better services to the people.

Reminding that there was no dearth of funds for improvement of telecom sector, the MoS assured that there would be increased coverage of telecommunication network connectivity across the country, and funds for further telecom development in Nagaland.

Earlier, advisor IT&C, Science and Technology and NRE, Mmhonlumo Kikon in his speech urged the minister to intervene and improve the quality of telecom services in Nagaland especially in rural areas and also to increase mobile coverage and telecom services in remote parts of the state. Pointing out that Nagaland shares a border with Myanmar, Kikon highlighted the need to improve telecom services and connectivity in the border areas.

Kikon said telecom connectivity has, admittedly, become the most crucial infrastructure for providing transparency, speed in governance, development, security and the only means to overcome the geo-climatic obstacles to communications in the state.

The advisor also highlighted the growing need for more bandwidth to support the spectacular growth in cellular telephony, improving connectivity and the need to expand the access network both of mobile as well as broadband to reach upto the door-steps of all, especially in the remote rural hinterland.

He also urged the MoS to enhance, support and ensure that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy becomes a reality and the strength of the region.

Chairperson of the meeting, principal secretary to chief minister, IT&C, power, K D Vizo also highlighted the visions and achievements of the state in the IT&C sector. He said Nagaland aims to become the IT hub of South East Asia.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/centre-committed-to-improve-connectivity-in-ne-chauhan/241999.html