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Microsoft’s Nadella meets IT minister Prasad, discusses H-1B visa, Digigaon plan
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called on Union information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday to discuss the IT major’s projects with the government.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called on Union information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday to discuss the IT major’s projects with the government and the issues regarding the United States’ immigration policy.
Prasad said that Nadella shares the concerns of the Indian IT sector when it comes to the US immigration policy.
“The IT ministry is working with the MEA to sort things out. The Microsoft CEO also endorses the contribution of the Indian IT firms and professionals in the US,” the IT minister said.
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A delegation of eighth US lawmakers are expected to meet Prasad later in the day.
Digigaon project
Global IT firms are making a beeline to India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unleashed the multi-billion dollar Digital India initiative.
“Microsoft is involved in one of the Digigaon project, which was announced in the Union Budget,” Prasad said after the meeting.
In the Budget for 2017-18, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said a DigiGaon initiative will be launched to provide tele-medicine, education and skills through digital technology.
Read | Nadella echoes Gates’ concern about AI, says reskilling needed to prevent job loss
The government plans to step up the allocation for BharatNet Project to Rs 10,000 crores in 2017-18.
By the end of 2017-18, high speed broadband connectivity on optical fibre will be available in more than 1,50,000 gram panchayats, with wifi hot spots and access to digital services at low tariffs.
Microsoft has already helped in the spread of Aadhaar project.
The company founded by Bill Gates is also running a pilot on TV White Space technology which will enable it to offer internet facilities at very low frequency in rural areas.
