Punjab government is going to launch a unique initiative namely Mobile Phone to Youth Scheme from December 2019. Under this Free Smartphone distribution scheme, all the students of class 11th & 12th would be given new handsets. Punjab cabinet committee headed by CM Amarinder Singh has approved this Mobile Phones to the Youth Scheme on 19 September 2019 at Dera Baba Nanak Anaz Mandi.
This Punjab Free Smartphone Scheme 2019-20 is a major step towards providing access of digital platforms to students. The government school students will get these touch screen mobile phones to explore various things on internet. The main aims is to create interest in students about various aspects of education.
The first batch of smartphones to students in Punjab is expected to be distributed in Dec 2019.
Punjab Mobile Phones to Youth Scheme 2019-20
The new Mobile Phones to Youth Scheme is a govt. initiative to access several digital platforms to youth. Accordingly, the state govt. will help youth in getting information from websites, applications to enable them to take informed career decisions. All the students can then get info. about education and career opportunities and access basic citizen services.
Punjab govt. Free Smartphone Distribution Scheme was a pre-poll promise of the congress party. The state govt. has set aside funds for Muft Smartphone Yojana in Punjab Budget 2017-18 & funds are also allocated in 2018-19.
Type of Mobile Phones in Free Smartphone Yojana Punjab
Under the Punjab Mobile Phones to the Youth scheme, govt. will provide basic smartphones to students in 11th & 12th standards. All these given handsets which are to be distributed will come up with various features which includes:-
- Touchscreen Interface
- Camera Unit
- Internet Connectivity
- Social Media Apps
- Other Basic Functionalities
Free Mobile Phones To Youth Scheme Punjab Implementation
According to the initial details by Punjab government, Mobile Phones to the Youth Scheme will incorporate an open transparent biding process. This would be done to select vendors who will be responsible to provide mobile devices to students.
Punjab Information Technology Corporation Ltd. will float tenders for Free Smartphone Distribution Scheme. Then in the next few days, vendor will deliver first set of handsets under Mobile Phones to the Youth Scheme by December 2019.
Mobile Phones to Youth Yojna Beneficiaries
It is still a question that who actually is the beneficiary of mobile phone to youth scheme in Punjab ? As per the official press release, in the initial or 1st phase, mobile phones are going to be provided to girl students of class 11th & 12th, who already do not own a phone.
After the successful implementation of first phase of Mobile Phones to Youth Scheme, the scheme will be extended to other students as well.