Investor confidence, service quality priority areas: Telecom minister

New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) Telecom and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said Tuesday the new government will focus on quality of service and restoring investor confidence on a priority basis.

"Telecom was in the news for all the wrong reasons. My priorities will be to set things right. I will focus mainly on two things - quality of services and investors' confidence restoration. I want to assure all the investors that the new government will work in a transparent manner," he told reporters after taking charge of the ministry here.

"We will focus to establish a broadband highway," he added.

"If Atal Bihari Vajpayee government was known for building highways, the Narendra Modi government will be known for building broadband highway. Another area of focus will be mobile access to remote and extremists dominated areas like the northeast and Ladhak."

The minister said that the past incident in the sector has dented its image and since 100 percent foreign direct investment (FDI) is allowed in this sector, it is important to regain investors confidence.

"One hundred percent FDI must be helped and quickened to India in a transparent manner."

The minister who took charge Tuesday attended a two-hour long presentation in the department to know the nitty-gritty of the sector.

Talking about regulatory measures in the sector he said: "I have asked my officers to adopt a softer stand on regulatory measures."

The minister described information technology (IT) as a "great growth area".

"As a minister, it would be one of my priority sector. Manufacturing in IT and electronics is a great area for growth, it can be given a boost."