In a `smart’ move to lure youth towards Samajwadi Party, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav announced that his government will soon launch Samajwadi Smart Phone Scheme under which anyone who is 18 years and is a High School pass will be eligible for these smart phones.
There is however a catch – the scheme will be implemented in the second half of 2017 thereby meaning that if the SP returns to power only then people will get these high-ended phones even as the registration will start in a month’s time.
“The 21st century is a century of hope. Keeping this in mind, the state government is regularly promoting use of technology. The SP government took a small step when it distributed over 18 lakh laptops among youth. Now it is ready to take another leap by giving smart phones to youth above 18 years of age,” Yadav said in a statement issued in lucknowon Monday.
This is a smart move taken by the SP keeping new voters in mind. It is expected that by January 1, 2017 when Election Commission finishes the revisison of the electoral list there would be 90 lakh now voters – all energetic youth with a fad for smart phones.
The CM said that on-line registration for phones will start within a month’s time. “These smart phones will have two way communications between the government and people. These ultra modern high end 4G enabled smart phones would inform the people about government programmes and schemes. Besides people can also give their feedback to the government,” Yadav said.
The CM said that there would be special Apps in these phones where farmers, students and youths can get information about agriculture, weather, employment, examination results and other important issues.
“The registration for the Samajwadi Smart Phones would be made in a transparent way and the gadgets would be home delivered. But government employees or their imediate kin along with staff of private firms and his kin with annual income of over Rs two lakh wil not be eligible for this scheme,” Yadav said.
This announcement has left the Opposition dazzled. “How can a government announce scheme of the next regime. The move of the SP government is an effort to influence voters by unethical means. Every political party should go to the EC to protest against such illegal act of the SP government,” said BJP general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak.
Congress spokesperson Amarnath Agarwal said that the Election Commission should take note of this announcement. This scheme tantamounts to allurement. “How can we have free and fair elections if the present government starts announcing schemes that will come into force in the mid of next fiscal,” he said.