Real broadband is still an illusion, says Ajay Sawhney, newly appointed secretary to MEIT: Report

“Real broadband is still an illusion in many parts of the country. I think that is one thing that we need to work on, of course, in collaboration with the ministry of telecom,” said, Ajay Sawhney, the newly appointed secretary to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT) in an interview with The Economic Times. For Sawhney, it is like returning to familiar terrain. He has worked under the state government in the IT and as the chief executive officer of the National E-governance Division  for two years, from 2010 to 2012. Sawhney believes that there are “tremendous opportunities ahead”, and not just in e-governance. He thinks that the more people there are participating in online activities. the better the process of democracy will work. According to Sawhney, **Digital India** and Make in India are the two areas where the government is focussing, majorly. He also emphasised the increased focus on cyber security. Other areas include Aadhar, mobile, and banking, thus, providing simplified avenues for people. He hasn’t formally taken the post, as yet, reports ET. In the interview, Sawhney said he believes that broadband coverage has to be present in the entire geography, for which he feels it is necessary to work with the state governments. Despite the government’s increased focus on IT, he feels that the focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) needs a more ‘cohesive plan’ in order to bring competitiveness.