Trade Fair: ‘Digital India’ to be Delhi Pavilion’s theme

To showcase its various digital initiatives, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has selected 

'Digital India' as the theme of the Delhi Pavilion at the annual Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan.

A senior official said the purpose is to showcase the government's digital initiatives that have made the functioning of various departments easier, benefiting the public.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to take stock of the preparations for the Trade Fair which will begin on November 14.

Digital India campaign was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year to ensure that government services are made available to citizens electronically by improving online infrastructure and increasing Internet connectivity.

In the past one-and-a-half years, the Arvind Kejriwal government in the city has taken several initiatives, including installation of CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi facility on DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) buses and online issuance of driving licence and excise registration.

Besides these, the official said, various departments -- Value Added Tax (VAT), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Public Works Department (PWD) and Education -- have also launched apps, which have made their delivery of services hassle-free.

The VAT department has developed 'Bill Banao, Inaam Pao' app through which the government encourages people to submit bills of there purchases so that it can detect tax evasion.

According to the official, through the DJB app, consumers can generate water bills on their own after taking a photograph of water meter reading.

"At the Delhi Pavilion, the government will showcase its works of installation of CCTV cameras on DTC buses.

Besides, VAT, education and transport departments have launched mobile applications that are receiving a good response," the official said.

Last year, the theme of the Delhi Pavilion was 'Make in India'.