<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Communication Minister Manoj Sinha has expressed hope that all the 2 lakh 50,000 gram panchayats will be provided broadband connectivity by March next year. Briefing reporters in New Delhi today on the achievements of his Ministry in the last four years, Mr Sinha said, one lakh gram panchayats have been provided with hi-speed broadband connectivity under the Bharat Net Project. He said, the scheme will make a significant improvement in the lives of rural people. </span></div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br />''</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"></div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The Minister said, the telecom sector has witnessed revolutionary changes over the last four years. He said, there has been six fold increase in government spending on telecommunications infrastructure and service in the country from 9,900 crore rupees between 2009-2014 to 60,000 crores between 2014 to 2019. He also said, the internet coverage has increased over 75 per cent from 251 million user to 446 million.</div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"> </div>''<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Mr Sinha said, the Prime Minister's motto of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas finds reflection in the Telecom department's efforts to connect the unconnected through rural digital infrastructure project such as BharatNet. He said, the department has also taken proactive steps to move the country to the forefront on the global stage in this technology driven sector.</div>''<div class="yj6qo" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"></div>