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Bageshwar News: The reality of Digital India in the remote villages of Bageshwar is telling a different story. Weak mobile network has made biometric e-KYC of ration card a struggle for villagers. People have to climb 1.5 kilometers on foot to find the signal on a 300 meter high hill. Waiting for hours in the cold winds has become a part of their daily routine, while women and children have to suffer the most.
Bageshwar: Amidst the dreams of Digital India, the reality of the remote villages of Bageshwar is telling a different story. Here the weak mobile network has made the mandatory biometric e-KYC process of ration card a struggle for the villagers. In Ratirketi village in the inaccessible area of Kapkot block, people are forced to climb 1.5 kilometers on foot to search for a signal on a 300 meter high hill. Waiting for hours in the cold winds and harsh sunlight has become a daily compulsion here.
State government gave relief to the public
Local public representative Harish Aithani says that before talking about digital verification, the network problem in the mountains should be resolved. The administration also believes that there are about 90 shadow zones in the district, where there is little or no network. Meanwhile, giving relief, the state government has extended the e-KYC deadline to December 31. According to Food Minister Rekha Arya, this decision has been taken in view of the technical difficulties in the hilly areas.
However, the question still remains that when there is no network, how will Digital India succeed? For how long will the villagers continue to prove their rights by climbing the mountains and for how long will they have to face this struggle? This situation remains a big challenge for the administration and policy makers.
