The Congress government in Rajasthan has decided to halt the distribution of smartphones, putting another scheme on hold pending a comprehensive review. Responding to a query on Tuesday, the government clarified that the smartphone distribution scheme would not be implemented further.
In the Assembly, Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, in reply to Congress MLA Indira Meena’s question, stated that a decision on the smartphone scheme’s future would be made after evaluating its benefits for women and public interest.
Minister Rathore highlighted the government’s commitment to digitisation, citing various existing schemes for digital advancements, such as optic fibre reaching every village and efforts to provide digital education to every household. The minister’s response was cut short as the Question Hour concluded, preventing a detailed discussion on the matter.
The government disclosed that the previous administration had distributed smartphones to women from the Chiranjeevi family. Around 24 lakh 56 thousand women received smartphones and internet data, with a total expenditure of Rs 1670.08 crore. The distribution was halted due to the code of conduct, and the previous government had aimed to provide smartphones to 40 lakh women in the initial phase.