President Kovind lauds India's efforts in digital sector

New Delhi : President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday lauded India's progress in the digital sector and said the government is running the world's largest digital literacy programme under 'Prime Minister Rural Digital Literacy Campaign'.

Address the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha to mark the beginning of the Budget Session 2018, President Kovind said, "The Indian government is running the world's largest digital literacy program under 'Prime Minister Rural Digital Literacy Campaign'. As per the program, so far one crore people have been digitally educated".

He later talked about digital transactions and said digital payments are being made in more than 400 schemes of the present government.

"'Bhima App' is playing a big role in promoting digital transactions. More than 100 public utilities have been made available on mobile by recently launched 'Ummang App'. So far, more than Rs 57,000 crore has been saved from going into wrong hands through such apps," the President stated.

He further said because of the admirable efforts in electronics manufacturing sector, there are 113 mobile companies in India, which stood at number two in 2014.

"Through this, our youth are getting new employment opportunities in small towns also," President Kovind added.

The Budget session of the Parliament will be conducted from January 29 to April 6, with the first phase to be held from January 29 to February 9 and the second phase from March 5 to April 6.

The Finance Minister will present the Union Budget 2018 for the fiscal year 2018-19 on February 1.