India may reach 500 million internet users by end of 2016

The number of Internet users in the country is expected to go up to 50 crore, from the present over 40 crore, in next 5-8 months, Indian Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Sunday."The number of people using Internet has crossed 40 crore in the country at present. I am expecting this number to go up to 50 crore in next 5-8 months. "According to our estimate, out of these, 70 per cent people are going to access Internet through mobile phones," Prasad said here at an Indore Management Association function.About 100 crore people, out of the population of India of nearly 125 crore, have mobile phones, the minister said, adding that every month, 20-35 lakh mobile users are added.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 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 95 crore 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 2.50 lakh 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.IANS