GOVT. TO MAKE MOBILE PHONES
FOR FARMERS FOR RS. 500 : OSCAR

Labour Minister, Mr. Oscar Fernandes on Thursday announced that state as well as privately owned communication companies would make available mobile phones for farmers for Rs.500 with adoption of digital technologies which would have potential to hugely cut mobile telephone costs.

Addressing ASSOCHAM organized 2nd day event of Focus 2007, the Minister also disclosed that government was doing its best to connect village farmers with mobile phones so that with internet accessibility, the farmers can dictate a fair price of its produce to end consumers.

The Minister said that the UPA government was giving top priority to promote digital science to cut costs of not only mobile telephone instruments for aam adami as also make them accessible to cheaper entertainment.

With growing internet facilities, the farmers should be able to know the latest trends for sowing his seeds, harvesting its crops how to pour fertilizer and in what quantity, as a result of which India's farm production could be substantially hiked and their exports rise significantly, said the Minister.

The Ministry of Communication, Information & Broadcasting and other relevant government departments were jointly and collectively working together to make mobile accessibility available to every farmer so that the telecom revolution becomes inclusive for all, indicated the Minister.

Among other who spoke on the occasion, promising the Minister to expand mobile telephone in every nook and corner of the country at much cheaper price than recommended by the Minister include Mr. Dilip Modi, Vice Chairman, Spice Corp, Mr. Bhuvan Lall, President - Entertainment

Division, Spice Corp, Ms. Sujata Dev, MD Time Broadband and Mr. Govind Hari Singhania, Director, J K Organization and Mr. D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM.