VP Radhakrishnan bats for Tier-2, Tier-3 cities to drive India’s digital future

Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways, Electronics & IT (MeitY), and Information & Broadcasting (I&B), Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, and Electronics & IT, Shri Jitin Prasada, called on Hon’ble Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan at Parliament House today.

During the meeting, the Ministers briefed the Vice-President on the key initiatives, achievements, and future plans of MeitY and I&B, aimed at driving India’s digital transformation and strengthening the nation’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem.

The discussion highlighted the significant contributions of the Ministries in advancing India’s digital infrastructure through programs such as Digital India, the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP), and the expansion of Common Services Centres (CSCs), which now cover over 5.5 lakh villages nationwide. Initiatives to support tech-driven startups, innovation hubs, and Electronics Development Fund (EDF) projects were also reviewed, emphasizing efforts to foster entrepreneurship and research in emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and cybersecurity.

The Vice-President was informed about the Ministries’ focus on Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, including Pune, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore, Surat, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, and Mysuru, as emerging centres for software development, innovation, and digital entrepreneurship. Measures include the establishment of IT parks, incubation centres, and skill development programmes, along with promoting regional digital content creation and responsible use of social media.

Shri Radhakrishnan lauded the transformative contributions of both Ministries in building a digitally empowered, innovation-driven, and information-aware society. He stressed the importance of expanding digital services, supporting talent development in smaller cities, promoting ethical digital practices, and strengthening citizen access to technology-enabled governance.

Looking ahead, the Ministries outlined plans to enhance broadband penetration, 5G deployment, cybersecurity frameworks, and AI-enabled governance, while continuing to position India as a global leader in IT and digital innovation. These initiatives aim to decentralize the digital ecosystem, foster inclusive growth, and strengthen India’s position as a hub for technology and innovation.