New Delhi: The Minister of State for Electronics and IT Communications and HRD Sanjay Dhotre on Friday reviewed the initiatives taken by different departments and undertakings of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology during lockdown amid COVID-19 pandemic through a video conference.
The minister was informed that 75 million people have already downloaded the Arogya Setu App on their mobile phones.
He requested the officials to popularise this app quite aggressively, even in those areas which experience low internet connectivity to popularise the app.
The Ministry has been keeping an eye on Information Technology (IT) and IT-enabled Services (ITES) sectors.
MoS had a detailed discussion with the key officials about the gradual opening of these sectors post-lockdown.
He exhorted the officials and stakeholders to orient IT solution and services in such a way that benefits the common people most during this unprecedented crisis.
He emphasised the crucial role of IT as the backbone for every sector in the country.
Highlighting the role of very large network of CSCs across the country, the Minister said that their services may also be tapped for providing telemedicine services, especially in remote parts, during this moment of crisis.
"This will bring much-needed relief to people who are finding difficulty in accessing medical services during this lockdown. The country is under lockdown till May 3," the minister added.
Amid consequent lockdown, the government of India earlier took a major decision to provide relief from payment of rental to the small IT units operating out of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).
Most of these units are either Tech MSMEs or startups. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology decided to provide a rental waiver to these units housed in STPI premises in the country from 01.03.2020 till 30.06.2020 i.e. for 4 months period as of now.
Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is an autonomous society under the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India and it has 60 centres across the country.
The initiative to provide a rental waiver to the units located in these centres will provide relief to the industry in this crisis situation emerged due to COVID-19 pandemic.
This initiative will provide benefit to nearly 200 IT/ ITeS MSMEs, operating from these 60 STPI centres.
