An association of Reliance Jio and Micromax signed a deal worth ₹1,500 crore with Chattisgarh Government to dispense 50 lakh smartphones among students and women in the state.
Under the project, 45 lakh smartphones are being given to women and the remaining will be distributed to college students in the state Vikas Jain, Micromax co-founder told PTI.
He further added, “About 10,000 camps are being organised under the project and deliveries have already started. Every beneficiary, chosen by the state government, is handed the device personally after activating it with Reliance Jio connection. The authentication of the beneficiary is done using Aadhaar.”
Micromax has reserved space in 15 of its warehouse in Chattisgarh to ensure timely distribution of handset to a large number of people. The state population is estimated to be 2.5 crores as per 2011 census.
The companies has hired a temporary staff of over 2000 people to finish the project within a few weeks.
“Micromax has partnered with Chhattisgarh government in launching the Sanchar Kranti Yojana (SKY)… Their commitment towards SKY initiative has helped us reach out to women of urban BPL families, rural house and youth consumers by providing them a worthwhile digital experience through their smartphones,” Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society CEO Alex Paul Menon said.