Digital India Guarantees Transparency, Good Governance: PM At IIT Gandhinagar

DWARKA: As technology becomes central to the government's plan for improving standards of governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for rapidly expanding the concept of digital literacy in rural areas, cautioning that a digital divide would otherwise create serious problems.

User-friendly applications would help in expansion of digital literacy and build the Digital India that guarantees transparency, effective service delivery and good governance, said PM Modi, who also launched a digital literacy campaign at IIT Gandhinagar.

In passing, PM Modi also referred to his humble beginnings to nudge his audience made of IIT students that they should aspire to do their best.

"You are IIT-ians, I was a Tea-ian when I was young (I sold tea). On this day, a few years ago, I took oath as Chief Minister for the first time. Till then, I had never even been an MLA. I had decided that whatever I will do, I will do to the best of my abilities," PM Modi said.

PM Modi is on two-day visit to Gujarat that he had started out earlier today from Dwarka, 500 km from the state capital.

PM Modi's two-day visit comes just days before the Election Commission is expected to announce the election schedule for elections in Gujarat, kicking in the model code of conduct that will restrict the government from starting any new work in the state.

At Dwarka, PM Modi had called the changes made to the Goods and Services Tax that eases compliance rules were a reason for celebration.

"Diwali has come early for our citizens due to decisions taken in the Goods and Services Tax council," said PM Modi, who has called steps taken to simplify the GST regime a reflection of the government's constant endeavour to safeguard citizens' interest and ensure the economy grows.

The GST Council had carried out major changes to the national tax regime introduced in July on Saturday following complaints from businesses and amid criticism from the opposition over the way GST has been implemented.

The council, apart from letting small businesses pay taxes on a quarterly basis rather than monthly, had also slashed taxes on 27 items including Khakra, a crispy snack in Gujarat.

PM Modi, speaking at a function to lay the foundation stone of a bridge in Dwarka, said Saturday's review was in line with the government's promise when GST was rolled out in July. "We had said we will study all aspects relating to GST for 3 months, including the shortcomings," he said.

This is PM Modi's fourth visit this year to the state.