In place of providing the gadget under a programme that will be introduced on Raksha Bandhan, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on Thursday that the state government is contemplating offering a set amount to women for the purchase of a smartphone of their choosing.
Gehlot said that the amount to be sent to a beneficiary’s bank account is a topic of discussion.
In the state budget, Gehlot promised to offer smartphones to the state’s 1.35 crore women. He said in April of this year that starting on Raksha Bandhan (August 30), the government will distribute cellphones in stages.
He said on Thursday that there are several phone models with various characteristics, and one can only choose which phone to purchase.
“A mobile phone is one such item. If you go to the store to purchase it, you may choose the brand and the amount of GB you need. We are attempting to persuade the businesses to erect counters similar to the inflation relief camps and provide customers with options, the chief minister told reporters.
He said that the government is thinking of crediting the bank accounts of women recipients with a certain sum in exchange for the purchase of a phone.
According to Gehlot, giving women cellphones is done to give them more power.