Unkept Promises, Marginalised Excluded: Cong On 10 Yrs Of ‘Digital India’

The Modi government has celebrated ‘Digital India’ as a transformative people’s movement over the past decade, but the Congress party has raised concerns about the initiative’s effectiveness, claiming it is marred by unfulfilled promises and digital exclusion. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has criticized the government’s lofty claims, stating that the fine print reveals significant shortcomings, particularly in terms of access for marginalized communities, privacy issues and transparency.

Launched on July 1, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Digital India aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. However, Kharge questioned the government’s assertions of success, citing data that highlights the lack of broadband connectivity in villages and schools. He pointed out that, as of June 26, under the BharatNet project, only 2.02 lakh villages have been connected, leaving 4.53 lakh villages—approximately 65 percent—without access. “The project’s deadline has been revised at least eight times in 11 years,” Kharge noted, emphasizing the slow progress.

He further criticized the government’s handling of state-owned telecom companies, stating, “BSNL has not yet completed its target of deploying 1 lakh 4G towers. One-third of the towers are still left to be installed.” Despite receiving three revival packages totaling over Rs 3 lakh crore, BSNL continues to lag behind private players. Kharge highlighted that BSNL’s debt has surged by 291.7 percent, from Rs 5,948 crore in March 2014 to Rs 23,297 crore in March 2024. Similarly, MTNL’s debt increased by 136.2 percent during the same period.

Kharge also raised concerns about the digital divide, stating that “75.3 percent of people aged 15 and above in the country do not know how to use a computer.” This statistic is particularly alarming in rural areas, where 81.9 percent of individuals lack computer skills, compared to 60.4 percent in urban areas. “This highlights a significant digital skills gap,” he added, referencing a National Sample Survey (NSS) conducted in 2020-21.

The Congress leader pointed out that nearly 7 crore registered workers were excluded from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) due to the imposition of Aadhaar-based payment conditions. He further claimed that 54 percent of government schools lack internet connectivity, 79 percent do not have desktop computers, and 85 percent lack projectors. “79 percent of schools do not have smart classrooms,” he stated, underscoring the need for improved digital infrastructure in education.

Kharge also expressed concerns about privacy and transparency, citing Prime Minister Modi’s own remarks regarding cybersecurity. “None less than PM Modi himself reportedly told Ministers and Secretaries that India saw over 10 crore cyberattacks since the Pahalgam terror attack,” he said. He noted that cybersecurity incidents have risen by approximately 76.25 percent from 2020 to 2024, with cases increasing from 11.58 lakh in 2020 to over 20.41 lakh in 2024, according to data from the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In).

The Congress president highlighted the alarming rise in digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes, which have nearly tripled between 2022 and 2024, with the money lost increasing 21 times. He criticized the government’s approach to data protection, alleging that the Right to Information (RTI) Act, introduced by Congress, is being undermined by a flawed Data Protection Law.

Kharge also addressed the issue of cash transactions, stating, “We were told that demonetization would reduce cash transactions, but cash in circulation has risen, even in the last year.” He emphasized that the foundation for many digital initiatives, such as Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), was laid during the Congress-led UPA government. “It was under the then PM Dr. Manmohan Singh that we created the Direct Benefits through Aadhaar and UPI architecture, which has made India a leader in digital transactions,” he asserted.

He pointed out that the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which oversees UPI transactions, was established by the UPA government in 2009. Additionally, he noted that the first Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme—PaHaL for LPG subsidy—was launched by the Congress-UPA in June 2013.

Additionally, Kharge urged the Modi government to reflect on its failures rather than glossing over national achievements. “Instead of seeking credit for #10YearsOfDigitalIndia, perhaps you should reflect on the multiple failures and frauds inflicted by your government,” he stated. His remarks came in response to Prime Minister Modi’s assertion that the Digital India initiative has bridged the digital divide and democratized opportunities, emphasizing the government’s trust in citizens’ ability to use technology.