CM exhorts youth to venture into IT sector
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, November 10 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh has stressed the need for the state's youth to gain expertise in the field of IT sector so that they could cope with the rapid advancement in the sector.

The CM was addressing the gathering as chief guest of the inaugural session of a Capacity Building Conference on 5G held at Hotel Classic Grande, Chingmeirong, here, on Thursday.

Biren continued that youth of the state seem to be reluctant to venture into the IT sector, adding that no local student could be found getting admitted to Indian Institute of Information Technology (HIT) opened in the state.

He appealed to the parents and guardians to consider the importance of their wards getting knowledge of Information Technology and changing the mindset that government jobs are everything, while mentioning that the time is for the IT sector.

Furthermore, there is the need to discuss why Manipur is still backward in this advanced IT age.

The question at this stage is whether we would continue engaging experts from outside when 5G is finally rolled out in the state, he remarked.

Maintaining that the state had been making great strides in all spheres of development, he added that leveraging Telecom infrastructure for better governance has been an integral part of the state government's inclusive development strategy.

The state government has been extending full support and cooperation on creation of Digital Infrastructures in Manipur.

Initiatives, like Bharat Net, are being implemented in the state to transform the rural masses by providing affordable and equitable access to internet, he added.

The CM then informed that the state government has provided the Free Right of Way to install optical fibres.

In addition, 360 villages of the state have been included under 4G Saturation project to provide 4G mobile services to uncovered villages in remote and difficult areas.

Proposal is under preparation for inclusion of additional 833 uncovered villages.

He continued that the IT Department of the state government in association with CSC- Special Purpose Vehicle had been monitoring the performance of 1000+ active CSCs in the state.

Based on their performance, an incentive programme had been implemented to encourage CSCs to provide services in remote areas, he added.

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched 5G Services in India last month to power the future of connectivity in the country, Biren expressed that this will help bridge digital inequality and deliverer high speed broadband connection to developing areas, in addition to benefit-ting education, health care and other sectors.

The PM is also concerned about anti-social elements using the 5G services to steal data and blackmail citizens.

Nonetheless, 5G service will benefit all in a positive way, Biren said and urged for concerted efforts to maintain security in this regard.

The CM then informed that the state is also taking up various initiatives for successful roll out of 5G services in Manipur.

A Working Committee on 5G had been formed and an amendment to Manipur Right of Way Policy 2019 to incorporate 5G policies had also been processed.

He expressed hope that the deliberations and discussion during the conference would help gear Manipur towards a smooth and quick roll out of 5G.The CM further expressed that building a robust and resilient connectivity infrastructure in the state is critical, given the state's strategic location which connects India to one of the most economically dynamic and politically significant geographies of the world.

Previously, mainlanders used to fear in visiting Manipur, regarding it as a hub of insurgency.

However, since PM Modi came to power in 2014, the law-and-order situation has improved significantly so much so that now tourists especially from foreign countries want to the visit the state.

Recently, an American diplomat sough an appointment to visit Manipur, Biren conveyed.

Delivering his speech, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar stated that the capacity building conference has been organised to make officials aware about how to facilitate seamless roll out of 5G in Manipur.

He mentioned that the CM has given direction to ensure full cooperation for saturation of 4G, which is important, while further recalling the statement of the Prime Minister that no pockets in India should be left without 4G services in 500 days.

He sought cooperation of everyone to make Manipur the first state to have 100 percent 4G services in the country.

Dr Rajesh also stated that the Government of Manipur under the supervision of Chief Minister Biren would make efforts to transform Imphal one of the fastest 5G rollout cities.

He continued that the intent is to use 5G service for high end activities like tele-medicine and tele-education among others.

It is time to ensure that all blocks and sub-divisions have 5G services by December 2023, he added.

The inaugural session was also attended by DG (DoT) Ashutosh Sharma, DG (DIPA) Tilak Raj Dua, additional chief secretary V Vumlunmang, special secretary (IT) B John Tlangtinkhuma and senior officials of the central and state government among others.

The inaugural session was followed by two technical sessions and a briefing session, wherein various resource persons spoke about 5G services and their importance.

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