Chandigarh: The cash-strapped Punjab government on Wednesday finalised the modalities for distribution of free smartphones to the youth, as promised in its poll manifesto. The first batch of smartphones is likely to be distributed in March.

In the first phase of the scheme, the cabinet decided to distribute smartphones to graduating students of government schools, colleges and technical institutions. However, to avail the gadget, students will have to submit a self-certification stating that they do not own any smartphone. The cabinet also gave a go ahead to provide one time 12 GB data and 600 local minutes voice talk time free with one-year validity to the beneficiaries of these smartphones.

For the implementation of the scheme, open transparent bidding process would be held to selected a vendor. The Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation has already floated the tender and a vendor would be finalized by February end. The cabinet also authorized the chief minister to finalize the name of the scheme, besides authorising the committee chairman to procure and distribute smartphones besides making changes in the Request For Proposal (RFP), as may be required in future.

In the run up to the 2017 assembly elections, the Congress in its manifesto had promised to distribute free smart mobile phones to around 50 lakh youths. After the party came to power in March 2017, the number of targeted beneficiaries was reduced to three lakh, owing to the poor financial condition of the state. The government had announced ‘Mobile Phone to the Youth’ scheme in its budget for 2017-18 to give impetus to its digital empowerment agenda. The scheme provides for distribution of mobile phones with various smart features, such as touch screen, camera and applications to access social media.

Earlier, Punjab Infotech had invited open bids for selection of Project Management Consultant for conceptualising the scheme from the National Informatics Centre Services Incorporated (NICSI) empaneled consulting organisations. The state government found the most responsive bid from the service provider company, KPMG, which was selected at a cost of Rs 72.19 lakhs for the project’s duration.

IN THE MANIFESTO

The Congress manifesto for assembly polls read, “In order to encourage and incentivize youth to use digital technology in day-to-day life, the Congress government will give free smart mobile phones to the youth. This will enable them, among other things, to be a beneficiary and a partner in efforts to digitize Punjab through the Punjab Online Project.”

> Congress had promised to give 50 lakh smartphones to youth. The scheme may cost Rs 2,000 crore to the state as over 21 lakh youth are believed to have registered for free smartphones.



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