Punjab government has begun distributing smartphones to government school 12th students
Punjab Government, on the occasion of International Youth Day, began distribution of smart phones to government school students in class 12. Under this initiative, smartphones would be distributed to 1.73 lakh students.
Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, on August 11, tweeted that the state government will commence distribution of 1.73 lakh smartphones on International Youth Day.
"Fulfilling our poll promise, we will commence distribution of 1.73 Lakh Smart Phones on August 12 on International Youth Day, to students studying in Class XII in Government schools. Amidst #Covid19, we hope these smartphones will help play a useful role in online education," read the CM's tweet.
On August 12, Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted that the government has initiated the first phase of distributing smart phones to class 12 students. The CM also conveyed his wishes for Janmashtami which is being celebrated on August 12 this year.
The scheme saw light of the day more than three years after the Congress came to power in the state.
Giving free smartphones to the youth of the state was one of the key poll promises of the Congress during the 2017 assembly elections.
He handed over smartphones to six class 12 students in a symbolic gesture. Simultaneous distribution of phones was done at 26 places by various ministers, MLAs and others across the state.
Each minister personally handed over 20 phones to students in various districts to mark the launch of the scheme.
A total of 1.11 lakh beneficiaries of the scheme are from rural areas.
Among the 1,74,015 Class 12 students being covered under the first phase, 94,832 belong to the Scheduled Caste category and 36,555 are OBC.
Speaking on this occasion, the CM said people believe in the promises listed in the election manifesto and it was, thus, his duty to ensure the implementation of each one of them.
The smartphone being distributed under the scheme is a good functional phone, the CM said, adding that it will become a major tool for the education of the students.
Earlier speaking on this occasion, Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said a sum of Rs 92 crore was being spent on procuring these smartphones.
(With PTI Inputs)