Govt finalises modalities for giving mobile phones to 2.15L students

Chandigarh, April 26

To facilitate e-learning in government schools amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cabinet today approved modalities for distribution of mobile phones to 2.15 lakh students of Class XII for the 2021-2022 session under the Punjab Smart Connect Scheme.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh at Punjab Bhawan here this evening. The state government has allotted a budget of Rs 100 crore to the School Education Department for the scheme for the financial year 2021-22.

As many as 1,75,443 regular students (boys and girls) studying in Class XII of government schools were given mobile phones last year. It has now been decided to extend the scheme to the students to be admitted to Class XII of the 2021-2022 academic year.

In another decision, the Cabinet gave post facto approval to amend Part-II B of the Punjab Public Service Commission (Limitation of Functions) Regulation, 1955, by putting certain posts into commission’s purview. — TNS