Cabinet nod to distribution of free smart phones to students
Only govt educational institutes to be covered in first phase; 1st batch of phones likely to be distributed in March with one-time bundled 12 GB data
CHANDIGARH:IN partial fulfilment of the Congress’ much-hyped promise of providing free smart phones to youth in Punjab, the state cabinet approved modalities for the distribution of the gadget in a phase-wise manner on Wednesday. “Only students of government educational institutions would be covered in the first phase,” said a government spokesperson after the cabinet meeting. Gradually, students of other schools, colleges and technical institutions would be covered.
Sources added that the first batch of phones is expected to be distributed in March with Punjab Information and Communication Technology Corporation having floated the tenders.
The phones will have a touch screen, camera and applications to access social media etc.
In addition, one-time bundled 12 GB data and 600 local minutes talk-time (voice) with one-year validity would also be provided.
Students would be required to submit a self-certification stating that they do not already have a smart phone.
In its budget for 2017-18, the government had announced a scheme ‘Mobile Phone to the Youth’. The objective was to provide digital access to the youth and information regarding education, career opportunities, access to skill development and employment opportunities and basic citizen-centric services through government applications, etc.
ECONOMIC OFFENDERS ACT TO BE IN FORCE
The cabinet also approved republishing of the Fugitive
Economic Offenders Act, 2018, which has been approved by Parliament to attach and confiscating properties and assets.
A spokesperson with the chief minister’s office said, “The
act would empower authorities to attach and confiscate properties and assets of economic offenders, such as loan defaulters who have fled the country.”
The Act will force the
absconders to return to India and face trial for economic offences, which would further help banks and other financial institutions to achieve higher recovery.