Amarinder launches ‘Captain Smart Connect’ scheme for youth, promises 50 lakh smartphones
Monday, 21/11/2016
http://epaper.dailypostindia.com/Details.aspx?id=168538&boxid=58808&uid=&dat=2016-11-21
Chandigarh : Alluring youth ahead Punjab Assembly poll, the Punjab Congress has announced to distribute 50 lakh smartphones to empower youth if comes to power.
The Punjab Congress Committee (PCC) chief Capt Amarinder Singh, who launched ‘Captain Smart Connect’ scheme here on Sunday, said the smartphones with one year of free data and calling, would be distributed among the youth of state in a bid to empower and connect them digitally with the world, once it comes to power.
The PCC chief also promised the youth, who will registered themselves for the smart phones, would get them within 100 days of the formation of the Congress government.
The PCC president said the scheme will cost about Rs 300-400 crore a year after the initial investment in the first year. Allocation will be made in the state budget itself to fund the scheme, as part of the youth welfare programme of his government once he takes over the reigns of the state, he added.
Explaining the rationale behind the scheme, he said even though one-third of Punjab’s population comprised youth in the 18-35 age group, this section remained backward. Large-scale unemployment was pushing the youth to drugs and other problems, making it important for the government to connect with them.
Capt Amarinder added that the initiative would enable him, once he is in power, to build the bridges with the youth and provide them with the necessary opportunity for growth by empowering them digitally.
Earlier, on his arrival, Capt Amarinder checked in at the venue - Beant Singh Memorial, Sector 42 - through his Facebook page, which was broadcast live to the audience. Following suit, hundreds/thousands of youth gathered there also checked in, tagging the Punjab Congress president in their posts.
This was followed by a video presentation, post which Captain Amarinder formally launched the website by pressing the button on a remote control, thus unveiling a giant mobile phone on the stage.
The scheme is applicable to youth who are residents of Punjab and in the age group of 18-35 years. The youth should be 10th pass, with annual household income less than Rs. 6 lakh, to be eligible for registration. At 13.5 pc, Punjab has the highest rate of unemployment in India for the age group between 15-29 years.
