Budget 2016: Technology initiatives to boost Digital India drive

MUMBAI: The slew of new platforms and digital literacy training programs in rural areas announced in the 2016 budget will help the government implement its flagship Digital India program and spur business for Indian IT companies.

Industry experts had said that the program lacked a firm roadmap to implementation. Also helping is the fact that some of the platforms announced have a dedicated budget allocation.

"The Digitisation of the government sector, like setting up of Digital Literacy mission which will cover six crore rural households in India ensures transparency," Anil Valluri, President, NetApp India & SAARC said.

The budget announced 11 technology initiatives including the use data analytics to nab tax evaders, creating a substantial opportunity for IT companies to build out the systems that will be required.

Though, experts say, issues in procurement will still have to be ironed out before large-scale participation by IT companies is seen.

"It creates significant opportunity for IT companies to participate in large domestic projects. Although the related procurement and payment processes will need to be revisited to excite IT companies," Sanjoy Sen, Doctoral Research Scholar, Aston Business School, UK and former partner at consultancy Deloitte, said.