The profound impact of the data revolution and widespread smart phone usage has necessitated use of digital tools in welfare programmes. Discuss.

With the cheapest internet prices in the world along with deepening & smart phone usage, digital tools in welfare home before an imperative rather than a Plan B. Proposed Impact: Affordable net price = 9 JIO, Airtel smartphone users: More than 700 million smartphone users. Necessitated use of digital tools: (1) For wider reach: easily deliver ration through e-POS in PDS system. (2) For lesser leakage: ensured by direct benefit transfer to the beneficiaries. i PM KISAN Yojana.

Yet it creates challenges: (1) Digital divide: 20% unaware across to Internet (NTHS+) (2) Rapture divide: Teleology & Urban (160%), Rural (~40%). (3) Inter-operability issues, state esha, high cost of initial setup, repel care, e-waste concerns. The shift to digital has to be made inclusive first. Schemes used as PM WANI, PM DISHA, etc must be taken on war footing. As India advises when all shine together.