In the build up to the assembly elections, Common Service Centres (CSC), a Government of India initiative was announced recently to launch 5,000 Public Data Offices (PDOs) in West Bengal under the CSC PM-Wani Scheme.
It bears recall that NCCE, an arm of the apex cooperative body NCUI is partnering with the govt of India in preparing an army of trained cooperators who would manage the affairs of multi-purpose District Co-op Societies known as VLEs.
The objective of PDOs is to sell the internet services among the villagers through Village Level Entrepreneurs spread in different parts of the country. It is a move towards Digital India, a dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the virtual announcement of CSC SPV, Managing Director Dinesh Tyagi, West Bengal State Head Arup Banerjee and others eminent dignitaries were present.
On the occasion Tyagi said, “With the help of the PM-WANI scheme, Government of India aims to provide Internet connectivity through Public Data Offices (PDOs). The scheme aims to not only boost the “ease of doing” business but also will do the “ease of living”, he said.
“There shall be no license fee for providing Broadband Internet through these public Wi-Fi networks”, he underlined.
PM Wi-Fi Access Network Interface to unleash a massive network in the country. Public data centres will be opened in the country. There will be no licence, fee or registration for it.
The networks will be set up through public data offices (PDOs) that will establish, maintain, and operate WANI-compliant Wi-Fi Access Points
It bears recall that in the month of December last year, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi had given its approval for the proposal of DoT for setting up of Public Wi-Fi Networks by Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) to provide public Wi-Fi service through Public Data Offices (PDOs) spread throughout the length and breadth of the country to accelerate proliferation of Broadband Internet services through Public Wi-Fi network in the country.