Government of Punjab Has announced the introduction of free smartphone distribution scheme 2020 to distribute free smartphones among the youth. In Phase 1, the government girl students will be given around 50,000 smartphones. Schools of class 11th and 12th. CMO Punjab has approved the modalities of distribution of free mobile phones and the purchase of the phone has been completed. The manufacturing firm has also denied any Chinese connection.
In order to woo the youth of the state, the current CM of Punjab announced the smartphone distribution scheme in 2016. Under the scheme, it was announced to provide 50 lakh smartphones to the youth in the state with free data and calling for one year. The main objective is to empower young peers and connect them digitally to facilitate online learning on priority during the COVID-19 crisis.
Following the meeting held by the Punjab government, the Counter Committee has decided to launch the Smartphone distribution scheme for the first phase. In the first phase, only students studying in government schools, colleges and technical institutes will be given smartphones. All students must submit a self-certification form. Showing that the young beneficiary does not already have a smartphone. With the Punjab Free Smartphone Vitran Scheme, many youth of the state can contribute to the digital sector. This scheme will further the Digital India initiative of the Central Government.
Salient Features of Chief Minister Free Mobile Phone Scheme-
The free smartphones going free to the youth of government schools under the Chief Minister Free Mobile Phone Scheme will have the following features:
- All mobiles will be Touch @ ones.
- A basic camera unit.
- Initially free internet service will also be provided by the government.
- Most social media applications will get access.
- Apart from this, most of the features are related to education and courses.
Punjab Free Smartphone Distribution Scheme 2020 (Phase 1)
| Objective | To provide smartphones to youth to digitally empower them & facilitate online learning amid COVID-19 pandemic outbreak |
| Number of Smartphones | 50,000 |
| Announced by | Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh |
| State | Punjab |
| Announced Date for Phase 1 | 28 July 2020 |
| Beneficiaries of Phase 1 | Girl Students of govt. schools studying in class 11th or 12th |
| Official Name of Scheme | Mobile Phones to Youth Scheme |
| Targeted Beneficiaries of all Phase | All youths of the state |
What is Punjab mobile phone to youth scheme by 2020?
The new mobile phone is a government for youth scheme. Initiative for youth to access multiple digital platforms. Accordingly, the state government. Will help youth get information from websites, information, enable them to make informed career decisions. After this all the students can get the information. More about education and career opportunities and access to basic civic services. Government of Punjab The free smartphone distribution scheme was a pre-poll promise of the Congress party. State government. In the Punjab Budget 2017-18, 2018-19 and onwards 2019-20, a separate amount was set aside for the Mufti Smartphone Scheme.
Mobile phone features
Under Punjab Mobile Phone Under Youth Scheme, Govt. Will provide basic smartphone to girls in 11th and 12th grade. All these handsets to be distributed will come with various features including: –
- Touchscreen interface
- Camera unit
- Internet connectivity
- Social media apps
- Other basic functions
How will the Free Smartphone Distribution Scheme 2020 be implemented?
As per preliminary details by the Punjab government, the mobile phone-to-youth scheme will incorporate an open transparent bidding process. This will be done to select the vendors who will be responsible for providing mobile devices to the students. Punjab Information Technology Corporation Limited will issue a tender for the free smartphone distribution scheme. Then in the next few days, vendors will distribute the first set of handsets under the mobile scheme to the youth scheme by December 2019.
Who are the mobile phones for the youth scheme beneficiaries?
According to the official press release, in the initial or first phase, mobile phones are to be provided to girls of 11th and 12th grades. Priority will be given to girls who do not already have a mobile phone, so that they will be able to learn online. After the successful implementation of the first phase of the mobile phone youth scheme, the scheme will be extended to other students as well.