Around 2.5 lakh panchayats to get broadband via optical fibre

He further said that his government is working on a legislation to ensure delivery of public services to people electronically.

“We are planning to request each state government to give a list of public services,which they feel can be delivered electronically. This will ensure that a large number of people do not have to go through harassment to get public services,” Sibal said.

Sibal also said that his government is committed to generate employment for the people of the country a large number of it will come from the manufacturing sector.

“Around 30 per cent of a mobile phone constitutes a chip and that is not made in our country. We are working to ensure that chips are made in India and that only will help in enormous employment and skill development in the country,” he said. Sibal also announced that the new version of the low-cost Aakash tablet PC is expected to be available to students on November 11.

“Hopefully on November 11,you will see the President talking to 20,000 students from across the nation,who will have their hands on Aakash,” Sibal said.

He added that the new version of Aakash will feature 1 Ghz processor,four-hour battery time,capacitive screen and Android 4 operating system. Sibal said going forward,the price of the device is expected to come down to $35, around Rs 1,500,with setting up of manufacturing activities in India.

“At the moment,we are actually formulating a Cabinet note for the manufacturing of five million Aakash tablets without any financial burden on the Ministry of Finance,” he said.