Lucknow, April 7 The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday approved the final bid document for the procurement of 25 lakh tablets to be distributed free of cost under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said a budgetary provision of Rs 2,000 crore has been made for the scheme for the financial year 2025-26.
Khanna said 60 lakh smartphones and tablets have been distributed so far, and an additional 25 lakh tablets and smartphones will be distributed.
These tablets will be provided especially to those who are final-year students of various approved courses, including technical education, health education, skill development training, or higher education, as well as skilled youth registered on the ITI and Seva Finance Portal.
He said the scheme would not impose any financial burden on the Centre.
Khanna said the move would help students successfully complete their academic courses and subsequently enable them to utilize the devices in government and non-government employment opportunities, as well as for self-employment.
The minister said the scheme would contribute to making the youth of the state technologically empowered, covering beneficiaries from higher education, technical education, medical education, skill development training institutes, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and those registered on the Seva Mitra portal.
Describing it as an innovative initiative, Khanna said the distribution of tablets would enhance employability and support job creation by equipping young people with digital skills.
