Chief Minister Digital Service Scheme

• 20 Aug 2022

Why In News?

• Recently, a senior official of the Rajasthan government said that three major telecom companies of the country have shown interest in the state's 'Chief Minister Digital Service Scheme' Under this scheme, 1.35 crore women in the state are to be given smartphones.

Key Points

• Three of the four companies that submitted technical bids for the 'Chief Minister Digital Service Scheme' joined in, project in-charge Chhatrapal Singh said. Now a high-level committee will assess the tenders and decide further.
• The process is expected to be completed at the earliest so that this budgetary announcement of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot can be implemented before the assembly elections next year.
• Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had announced the 'Chief Minister Digital Service Scheme' in this year's state budget. Under this, women heads of 1.35 crore 'Chiranjeevi families' in the state are to be given smart phones with three years of internet connectivity. The phone will have voice calls and SMS facility in addition to internet for three years.
• The project is worth about Rs.12,000 crore, including mobile phones, three years of internet and other items. The mobile to be given will be able to have two SIMs and the SIM will already be activated in its 'primary slot'. It cannot be changed.
• This mobile will be used by the state government to give benefits of various government schemes to 'Chiranjeevi families'. Along with this, it will be able to publicize its public welfare schemes through this and it will also have data of those who have taken advantage of the schemes.