U.P. Cabinet approves purchase of 2.5 million smartphones for youth

In a strategic move aimed at winning the favor of the youth ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) cabinet has given the green light to several initiatives that promise to empower and support young people in the state.

Under the Swami Vivekanand Youth Empowerment Scheme, the U.P. cabinet has approved the purchase of 25 lakh smartphones. These smartphones will be distributed to youth across the state. The scheme, designed to run for five years, encompasses young individuals pursuing higher education, technical education, health education, and those registered for skill development and ITI courses. The state government has allocated ₹3,600 crore for the scheme in the 2023-2024 budget. In a significant gesture, Infosys has contributed to the initiative by providing its Springboard platform, featuring 3,900 courses, free of charge through its CSR commitment, enriching educational opportunities for students.

Stipends for non-technical diploma holders and graduates

The U.P. cabinet has further bolstered its youth-centric efforts by permitting non-technical diploma holders and graduates to receive a monthly stipend of ₹9,000 for a year. This stipend program is expected to benefit approximately 10 lakh youths in Uttar Pradesh. The central government will contribute ₹4,500, while the state government will provide ₹1,000, with the remaining ₹3,500 coming from the respective entrepreneurs. The state has allocated ₹100 crore in its annual budget for 2023-2024 to facilitate this initiative. It's noteworthy that engineering and technical diploma holders are already covered under the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme.

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Educational support for pandemic-affected children

In addition to the smartphone distribution and stipend program, the U.P. cabinet has taken steps to support children who lost their parents during the Covid-19 pandemic. The cabinet approved a scheme to establish Atal Avasiya (Residential) Schools, modeled after Navodaya Vidyalayas, which will provide free education to these children. These schools will be set up across the state, with each accommodating 1,000 students, including 500 boys and 500 girls, in 18 divisions. The Atal Avasiya Schools will serve as centers of educational excellence and help ensure a bright future for children who have faced hardship due to the pandemic.

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Empowering the youth of Uttar Pradesh

These youth-focused initiatives signal the government's commitment to empowering the young population of Uttar Pradesh. By providing access to smartphones, offering financial support to diploma holders and graduates, and ensuring education for pandemic-affected children, the government aims to nurture talent, enhance employability, and contribute to the holistic development of the state's youth. These endeavors also serve as a strategic move ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, recognizing the importance of engaging with and supporting the aspirations of the younger generation in Uttar Pradesh.