CHANDIGARH:Delivery of smart phones for youngsters expected April onwards
Announcement to fill government posts on large scale, allocation of Rs.148 crore 44365 youngsters’ training and Rs.270 crore for sports culture proving the budget is youth centric
Punjab Sports & Youth Services and NRI Affairs Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi termed the Budget 2020-21 as youth-oriented. Appreciating Finance Minister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal for bringing the state finances on the track, he said that Rs.100 crore has been earmarked for 'free smart mobile phones for youth' scheme in the budget, delivery of which is expected from April onwards.
“Announcement of filling up of government vacancies on large scale, allocation of Rs.148 crore for training of 44365 youngsters and Rs.270 crore for creating sports culture in the state etc. initiatives are proving that this budget is youth centric”, added the minister in press communiqué.
Rana Sodhi said that state Government had made a promise to distribute 10 lakh Smart Phones to young people under the Scheme “Free Smart Mobile Phones to the Youth”. However, due to the corona virus outbreak in China, the supply of smart phones was halted. The state government is expecting the delivery of smart phones will start from April onwards and provision of Rs.100 crore earmarked for this purpose during 2020-21. Sports Minister further said that finance minister has proposed Rs.148 crore in budget 2020-21 for training of 44365 youngsters.
Rana Sodhi said that with a view to promote sports culture in the state, the state government has allocated enhanced budgetary provision of Rs.270 crore. “The state government will continue to provide the requisite funds during the year for the expeditious completion of this project of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University”, he added.
Sports Minister said that government will construct new stadiums and upgrade/strengthen the existing sports infrastructure to multipurpose sports field, multipurpose sports halls, swimming pool and various sports grounds in the state. Astroturf and synthetic track and courts of International standards will also be made available to career sports persons. And, an allocation of Rs.35 crore has been made and more steps for creating sports infrastructure under Khelo India Scheme shall also be undertaken. He said that under the “Friends of Punjab”, requirements of the local community in rural and urban areas with active participation and support of the state government will be ensured.