One crore BPL families in state will get free smartphones: says Raje

Govt has tied up with telecom operators to provide phones at subsidised rates under Bhamashah Digital Parivar Yojana

Chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Tuesday announced that the government will provide free smartphones to one crore poor families in the state under a new initiative, Bhamashah Digital Parivar Yojana.

The government will also ensure internet connections for the smartphones, which will be loaded with apps that will enable the poor families to get details about government welfare schemes, check eligibility, and apply for the benefits.

Raje was addressing a gathering of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, sanitation workers, and differently abled people under an event titled ‘Mukhya Mantri Jan Samvad’.

“To achieve our dream of building a Naya Rajasthan, we want to ease the economic hardship of poor people and uplift the weaker sections of the society. We have ensured that poor people on touch of a button could know about government welfare schemes and all other information about the scheme. This is Bhamashah Digital Parivar Yojana that will benefit one crore card holders,” Raje said amid applause from the gathering.

All the Bhamashah card holders (one from each family) getting benefits under the Food Security Act will be eligible for the smart phone scheme.

Raje said that the government will give ₹1,000 aid in two instalments. “Those who buy smartphone will get the second ~500 instalment, and when you will pay ₹500 more you will get connected to internet,” she said. The government will track the use of funds online.

Reacting to the announcement, Congress spokesperson Archana Sharma said the government was announcing populist schemes in the election year as the BJP is desperate. “It’s a gimmick in election year,” she said. “How will the smart phone users renew their (internet) connections? It will be like Ujjwala scheme in which not more than 20% were able to get a second refill. Raje claimed that her government has generated employment for 16 lakh people in the last five years.

“We have given 3.25 lakh government jobs including 1.35 lakh jobs in pipeline. When we took over, teachers’ vacancy was 50% and soon it will be reduced to 2%. Then, including ITIs and skill development provided to people that has enabled them to land private sector jobs we have given 16 lakh jobs. If one considers selfemployment under PM Mudra loan yojana, we have given more than 40 lakh jobs in five years,” she said.

Raje also distributed motorised tri-cycles to differently abled people. Raje also announced ₹2 lakh interest-free loans for barbers, cobblers, carpenters, and plumbers for skill development. The interest on the loan will be paid by the government.

Raje said the government has also spent ₹114 crore to waive off loans up to ₹2 lakh taken from the SC, ST Finance Corporation by those people who are “not capable” of paying off them. She distributed loan-waiver certificates to some beneficiaries.

The chief minister launched a scathing attack on the Congress for questioning the event. “People do not understand what beneficiaries are getting. That’s why some of these have been assembled so that anyone can understand and people can tell the poor that you can benefit from this scheme too,” she said.

The chief minister, during her 25-minute speech, repeatedly mentioned that the government was doing inclusive development works taking along all the 36 communities irrespective of caste and religion.

“We need your love and your trust to build a new Rajasthan,” she said and mentioned that the government had inherited the economy in bad shape with a borrowing of about ₹2.5 lakh crore.

“Did we say we are bankrupt? Some people do this drama. The government is never short of funds, but there is lack of willpower,” Raje said indirectly taking a dig at the Congress.

Raje said had the Congress done so much work in the last 50 years what her government did in last 5 years, Rajasthan would have been a leading state. “But I promise you, in coming years, we will become leading state. We need your help, your love, your trust,” she said.

The chief minister claimed that her government built 80 lakh toilets in five years while 25 lakh toilets were built in Rajasthan in 50 years. “By March 2019, I am confident there will be no place in Rajasthan that will not be ODF,” she said.

Raje quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stress the importance of cleanliness drive and ended the event after administering an “oath of cleanliness.”

The Rajasthan government has tied up with telecom operators to provide smart phones at subsidised rates.

JAIPUR: