Vasundhara Raje govt to give free smartphones to 1 crore families in Rajasthan | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Vasundhara Raje govt to give free smartphones to 1 crore families in Rajasthan

Hindustan Times, Jaipur | By
Sep 05, 2018 02:25 PM IST

Launching the Bhamashah Digital Parivar Yojana on Tuesday, Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje said the subsidy of ₹1,000 will be given to card holders in two instalments.

Around one crore poor families in Rajasthan will get a 1,000-aid from the state government to buy smartphones using which they can remain informed of welfare schemes and avail benefits as per their eligibility.

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje speaks during the 'Labharthi Samvad' programme in Jaipur.(Himanshu Vyas/HT File Photo)
Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje speaks during the 'Labharthi Samvad' programme in Jaipur.(Himanshu Vyas/HT File Photo)

Launching the Bhamashah Digital Parivar Yojana on Tuesday, Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje said the subsidy of 1,000 will be given to card holders in two instalments.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The government will give a first instalment of 500, using which card holders will be able to buy a smartphone. Those who buy the smartphone will get the second 500 instalment using which they will have to get the internet connection.

The government has tied up with a telecom provider which will provide the phones at 500. The state will also track the use of funds online.

“We have ensured that poor people on touch of a button can know about the government’s welfare schemes. This is Bhamashah Digital Parivar Yojana that will benefit one crore card holders,” Raje told a gathering of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, sanitation workers, and differently-abled people at a ‘Mukhya Mantri Jan Samvad’ (Chief Minister’s Dialogue with People).

Congress spokespersons Archana Sharma said the government was announcing populist schemes in election year as they are desperate.

“It’s a gimmick in election year,” she said, questioning how users could renew their connections, and drew comparisons with the Ujjwala scheme in which not more than 20% were able to get a second refill.

Generated 16 lakh jobs in 5 years: Raje

The CM also claimed that her government had 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’ vacancies were 50%. Soon, it will be reduced to 2%. Then, 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 self-employment under PM Mudra loan yojana, we have given more than 40 lakh jobs in five years,” she claimed.

Raje also distributed motorised tri-cycles to differently-abled people.

She also announced 2 lakh interest-free loans for barbers, cobbler, carpenter, plumber for skill development. The interest on the loan will be paid by the government.

The CM said her government had spent 114 crore to waive off loans up to 2 lakh taken from SC-ST Finance Corporation of those people who were “not capable” of paying off the loan. She distributed loan waiver certificates to some beneficiaries.

The chief minister also launched a scathing attack on the Congress for questioning the event.

“People do not understand what the 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 debt 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 will power,” Raje said indirectly taking a dig at the Congress.

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, she said.

“But I promise you, in the coming years, we will become a 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.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Manoj Ahuja is a principal correspondent based in Indore. He writes on business, agriculture and aviation. His focus is on south-western Madhya Pradesh, particularly the tribal belt.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On