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Post Demonetization, India had been steadily transforming to a Digital Nation. Central Government along with State Governments have been taking several initiatives for achieving digital India. In this process, the state with highest literacy rate Kerala had become the first digital state in India.

The government of Kerala had declared Internet access as a basic right for every citizen in the state. Like the other basic human rights like food, water and education, Internet is also counted as basic human right in Kerala. The most literate state in India is stepping towards achieving digitalization and proper use of the Internet.

Also Read: Digital Village Initiative: Central Government to Offer Free WIFI to Villages

During the budget session, Kerala Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac on Friday announced different projects for making the internet accessible to more people. Funds are allotted in the budget for providing free internet to 20 lakh people who were backward centers of the economy.

“The government’s idea will be to deliver internet connectivity with limited bandwidth to individual households through an optic fiber network to be established parallel to the distribution network of the KSEB,” said M Sivasankar, secretary, department of electronics and information technology.

According to the budget, the Kerala government is planning to set up a network under the name K-FON (Kerala Fibre Optic Network).In the span of 18 months, the state government had allotted Rs 1,000 crore through KIIFB for this project. Under the project, internet services shall be provided at lesser prices for economically backward people. Another important decision the budget session made is the setting of Free WIFI at Akshaya Centers,Government Offices, Libraries and other Public Places.

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In addition to the Free Internet, the Kerala govt also allotted good amounts to the electronic and IT sector. “Electronic hardware production is getting a big push. The budget looks at exploiting the opportunities to invite more investment,” said the IT secretary.

The Kerala Govt stands as an example of making the state grow in literacy and usage of internet. We hope all other states would follow the foot marks of Kerala in broadening the digitalization process.