Internet Users in India May Reach 500 Million in 5-8 Months: Prasad

The number of Internet users in the country is expected to go up to 500 million, from the present over 400 million, in next 5-8 months, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Sunday.

"The number of people using Internet has crossed 400 million in the country at present. I am expecting this number to go up to 500 million in next 5-8 months... According to our estimate, out of these, 70 percent people are going to access Internet through mobile phones," Prasad said in Indore at an Indore Management Association function.

About 1 billion people, out of the population of India of nearly 1.25 billion, have mobile phones, the minister said, adding that every month, 2-3.5 million mobile users are added.

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"The NDA government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is trying to awaken the efficiency and innovation in the public. We are constantly simplifying the government policies and procedures for good governance and development," he said.

"Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government is known for construction of National Highways. The present Prime Minister Narendra Modi government will be known for setting up Information Highways," Prasad said.

The Telecom and Information Technology Minister also said that there are about 950 million Aadhar card holders in the country and the government has made the Aadhar card mandatory for reaping the benefits of many schemes to promote good governance.

If the Supreme Court gives nod, then the Aadhar card will be made mandatory for all government schemes, he added.

Prasad also said that the government is working towards connecting 250,000 gram panchayats in the country through optical fibre network.

When all the gram panchayats would be linked through this network, then e-business, e-education, e-health, and other projects could be started in villages, he added.