Tue Jul 01 11:21:21 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge criticized Prime Minister Modi’s claims about the success of the “Digital India” initiative. Kharge argued that the project is plagued by unfulfilled promises, including the BharatNet project’s slow progress, BSNL’s lagging 4G deployment, and the persistence of a significant digital skills gap. He also pointed to concerns about cybersecurity vulnerabilities, the weakening of the RTI Act, and the increasing amount of cash in circulation despite digitalization efforts. Kharge credited the UPA government with creating the foundational architecture for digital transactions, including AADHAAR and UPI.

**News Article:**

**Congress Leader Slams Modi’s “Digital India” Claims, Cites Unmet Goals and Cybersecurity Concerns**

**New Delhi, July 1, 2025** – Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge today sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s celebration of the “Digital India” initiative, alleging that the program is riddled with failures and false promises.

In a statement released on X, Kharge disputed Modi’s assertion that “Digital India” has bridged the digital divide, highlighting the slow progress of the BharatNet project. He noted that only 35% of the targeted 6.55 lakh villages have been connected to broadband, with the project deadline repeatedly revised. Furthermore, a mere 0.73% of gram panchayats have active Wi-Fi services.

Kharge also raised concerns about the state of BSNL, noting its continued struggles despite receiving significant financial support. He pointed to rising debt levels within BSNL and MTNL and BSNL’s inability to compete with private players in the 5G arena.

The Congress leader further emphasized the digital skills gap, stating that 75.3% of Indians aged 15 and above lack computer literacy. He also raised concerns about cybersecurity, citing a substantial increase in cyber attacks and digital arrest scams. He warned that the government’s Data Protection Law threatened to weaken the RTI Act.

Kharge concluded by crediting the UPA government, led by then-Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, with establishing the foundation for digital transactions, including AADHAAR and UPI. He urged Modi to reflect on his government’s “multiple failures and frauds” instead of seeking credit for the achievements.

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