Kapil Sibal is always in the news for the wrong reasons but is bringing about several positive reforms using information technology
The 63 year old lawyer who holds two important cabinet positions (he is the Minister of Communications and Information Technology as well as Minister of Human Resources and Development) has been in the news for a variety of wrong reasons. Earlier Kapil Sibal’s attempts to bring changes to the IT-JEE entrance examination, then his views on the 2G scam being just a ‘notional loss’ and now the move to regulate internet content especially on social networking websites – has drawn a lot of flak.
However there is more to Sibal and his ‘out-of-the-league’ thinking. He is the man behind the launch of world’s cheapest tablet computer – ‘Aakash’ – for students pursuing graduation in India. Aakash is currently been manufactured by a UK company Datawind, which supplies the tablet to the Indian Government for Rs. 2256. The Government then distributes the tablet to students at a subsidized price of Rs. 1100. Recently Sibal has said that the production of Aakash will be completely indigenous henceforth so as to further reduce its price and bring it down to Rs.500. The aim is to increase the reach of the tablet to school and junior college students.
Another of his achievements is the roll out of the prestigious National Optical Fibre Network scheme, which aims to provide broadband connectivity to all the gram panchayats by 2014. This shall enable the government to provide banking, healthcare and education facilities directly to the ground level. Mr. Sibal is a firm believer of eliminating middlemen and in turn corruption through the use of information technology. As a step ahead he is now trying to gain acceptance for the Electronic Delivery of Services Bill, 2011 which allows for delivery of public services (such as various applications, certificates, issue of licenses etc.) through electronic mode.
He has also been instrumental in conceptualizing and execution of the National Knowledge Network project, which provides a high speed fibre-based broadband connectivity to the country’s education and research institutes. Around 31000 colleges and 6400 universities are expected to be connected to the Network by the end of this year. Mr. Sibal is planning to introduce the concept of ‘meta-university’ with the help of National Knowledge Network, whereby a student from one university shall be eligible and able to pursue another cross-disciplinary programme simultaneously from another university.
He is also now pitching for postal reforms through providing legal recognition to courier providers, who as per the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, are not allowed to carry personal letters for the sake of profit.
Mr. Sibal is one of the notable politicians with strong academic and diverse work background. He is also well known for representing India at various international forums. We wish he takes advantage of his experience to make way for informed reforms through an inclusive dialogue.
Source : Business Review India, March 14, 2012
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