Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 3 (UNI) Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac today announced free internet facility for about 20 lakh poor families in the state. Presenting the annual Budget for 2017-18, Mr Thomas Issac said the facility will provide hindrance-free access to Government and non-Government services, educational, health, social welfare, entertainment and knowledge based service facilities to common people through computer and mobile phone. Stating that it will be a decisive step towards eliminating the digital divide, he said it is estimated that by 2017-18 almost all Government transactions will become IT based. Thus, the right for basic internet facility will become a prerequisite for providing civic service universally through electronic medium. Rs 1000 crore needed for the capital investment will be provided through KIIFB, he added. The universal basic internet facility will be made available to all citizens and Government machinery through a new optic fibre pathway created in parallel to KSEB electric power network. This network can be made available to each home through KSEB. It is aimed to complete the network to be named Kerala Fibre Optic Network (K-FON) within 18 months. WiFi transmission centres will be established at Akshaya Centres, Friends Janasevana Kendras, Government offices, libraries and public places under the control of Government. Basic internet facility will be provided to people free of cost for a specific period using mobile and computer equipment through K-FON, the Minister said. UNI DS CS 1355