Thiruvananthapuram: With the state taking extra steps to implement various e-governance initiatives, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy declared Kerala as a 'complete digital state', during his 69th Independence Day speech at Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
“The state has achieved 100 per cent mobile density, 75 per cent e-literacy, highest digital banking rate and broadband connection up to panchayat level,” he said. “The implementation of e-district programmes in all districts and linking of Aadhaar and bank accounts have laid a strong foundation for Digital Kerala. I am proud to declare the state as the complete digital state, based on these indicators.”
“Government would set up Wi-Fi hotspots in all local self government institutions and implement complete mobile governance in the next phase to achieve the best results of the Digital Kerala initiative.”
The state government has also announced the launch of an innovative programme in the name of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, which will help the youth convert their innovative ideas into successful business ventures. “Seeking to retain the memories of Kalam, the Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment will launch a new youth programme titled Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Youth Challenge,” Chandy said.
It aims to create at least one enterprise from state universities every year, based on innovative ideas submitted by college students or groups of students. Seeking to check widespread exploitation of natural wealth and create mass awareness for their conservation, government plans to set up an inclusive development council, the chief minister said.
Detailing various programmes to be implemented in the state in the coming months, the Chief Minister said as many as 100,000 houses would be constructed for the homeless. “Mammoth development projects to the tune of Rs. 1.6 billion pounds, including Kochi Metro, Kannur Airport and Vizhinjam projects are becoming a reality in the state,” he said adding that the government would go ahead with the light metro projects in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.
