It isn’t just information technology (IT) companies, but Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is equally bullish about digital technology. And he made it clear during his budget speech on Thursday when he doubled the allocation for the Digital India programme for 2018-19 to Rs 3,073 crore.

Experts feel the government’s digital technology initiatives to boost the quality of education, healthcare, and the rural sector are a step in the right direction. “The budget is progressive, balanced, and forward-looking with a well-defined focus on Digital India. Allocation of Rs 3,073 crore towards Digital India is a significant leg-up,” said Bhavish Aggarwal, co-founder & CEO, Ola.

While presenting the 2018/19 budget, Jaitley pointed out that NITI Aayog, the government’s policy think-tank led by Amitabh Kant, will initiate a national programme to direct the government’s efforts in artificial intelligence, including research and development of its applications.

Industry watchers say pushing artificial intelligence will benefit sectors such as healthcare and education. “A focus on AI is a forward-looking step as it will lead to policy frameworks that will allow us to leverage AI for good in areas like healthcare and education,” said Saurabh Srivastava, co-founder & director, IAN and co-founder, Nasscom. “In a country like India, AI can play a key role in creating jobs. But it will depend on how it is harnessed. AI has huge potential that can be leveraged across sectors. In healthcare, AI can help in remote diagnostics to reach a large rural population.”

The finance minister also said that to invest in research, training and skilling in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, big data analysis, and the Internet of Things, the Department of Science & Technology will launch a Mission on Cyber Physical Systems to support establishment of centres of excellence.

Since it is the BJP government’s last full budget before the general election next year, the government announced a slew of rural-focussed proposals, including a plan to set up 500,000 Wi-Fi hotspots which will provide broadband access to 50 million rural citizens. Also, the Department of Telecom will help set up an “indigenous 5G test bed” at IIT, Chennai.

“This is a very positive move that the government is building digital infrastructure. Every transaction can now be done online, thanks to the easy access to the Internet. It’s time that banks undergo digital transformation to reach more people,” said Rajiv Raj, co-founder and director, CreditVidya, a Mumbai-based startup that provides alternative data-based credit scores.

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