Bid to provide digital access, useful info

The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved modalities for the distribution of smartphones to the youth, with the graduating students of government schools, colleges and technical institutions to be covered in the first phase of the scheme. The decision, taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, is a bid to fulfil the Congress party’s promise made during the 2017 State Assembly election campaign.

“The students would be required to submit self-certification stating that they do not already possess a smartphone. The scheme, which will give an impetus to the State government’s digital empowerment agenda, will provide for distribution of mobile phones with various smart features. In addition, one-time bundled 12 GB data and 600 local minutes talk time (voice) with one-year validity would also be provided under the scheme,” said an official statement.

The State government had announced ‘Mobile Phone to the Youth’ in its budget for financial year 2017-18 with the objective of providing digital access to youth.

The Cabinet also approved one-time settlement of non-compoundable violations in the case of unauthorised constructions that have come up in the State up to June 30, 2018.

The Cabinet also gave its nod for the new online transfer policy of the School Education Department, thus ensuring equal opportunity for all employees using online mode for seeking transfers.