Sarbananda Sonowal urges Centre to initiate action for broader internet connectivity in Assam

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has urged the Centre to initiate actions to set up a fibre (broadband) grid aimed at connecting every household with internet in the state. [caption id=“attachment_3769059” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. PTI[/caption] To connect all households with internet, the chief minister had a talk with Union electronics and information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Communications Manoj Sinha over phone and sought their help in increasing internet connectivity in the state, an official release on Sunday said. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s thrust on Digital India, Sonowal requested the union ministers to help the state’s bid in setting up a dedicated fibre (broadband) grid for internet connectivity, the release said. “Amid the present worldwide economic trend, India is a happening country… and Assam being a land of abundant opportunities, an information superhighway is the need of the hour,” Sonowal said. “A helping hand of the Centre will augur well in strengthening the base of internet connectivity to reap rich dividends of digital world,” the release quoted Sonowal. The union ministers gave a positive nod to Sonowal’s request and have asked the secretary of electronics and information technology department and chief general manager, BSNL, North East Circle, to talk to Assam government and thrash out a broad modus operandi for a coordinated network of digital communication system in the state, the release added.