Chhattisgarh Sanchar Kranti Yojana

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Chhattisgarh Sanchar Kranti Yojana (CG-SKY) was launched by the Government of Chhattisgarh in 2017. The scheme is being implemented by the Chhattisgarh Electronics and Information Technology Department. The main objective of the scheme is to provide mobile connectivity and smartphones to the citizens of the state and connect them with digital services.

Under the Chhattisgarh Sanchar Kranti Yojana, eligible rural households, urban poor households, and regular students studying in colleges are provided free mobile phones. In the case of households, priority is given to female members for smartphone distribution. The scheme helps citizens access government schemes and various digital services through mobile phones.

One of the key objectives of the scheme is to improve mobile connectivity in areas of the state where mobile network facilities are unavailable or inadequate. It also aims to expand access to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for beneficiaries of government schemes through Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar, and smartphones, while promoting digital payments and financial inclusion.

Under the scheme, smartphones are provided to rural and urban households, while regular college students are also included as a beneficiary category. However, students enrolled in correspondence courses are not considered eligible under the college student beneficiary category. Eligible beneficiaries are identified and registered according to the prescribed government process. The current government is also implementing the Chhattisgarh Yuva Suchna Kranti Yojana and Saraswati Cycle Yojana for the youth of the state.

Important Update:

The Chhattisgarh Sanchar Kranti Yojana has now been discontinued. The government is no longer accepting new applications under the scheme. Therefore, interested citizens cannot currently submit a new application for this scheme.

Scheme Benefits

Under the Sanchar Kranti Yojana, the government aimed to connect citizens with digital services by expanding access to mobile phones and smartphones. The key benefits of the scheme were as follows:

• Provision of smartphones to eligible beneficiaries.
• Efforts to provide rural and urban poor households with access to digital services.
• Provision of smartphones to regular college students.
• Improved access to information about government schemes and services through mobile phones.
• Promotion of digital payments and financial inclusion.
• Strengthening access to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar, and smartphones.
• Efforts to expand mobile network access in areas lacking adequate mobile connectivity.

Eligibility Requirements

According to the available scheme guidelines, the following categories were included as eligible beneficiaries under the Sanchar Kranti Yojana:

• Eligible rural households in Chhattisgarh.
• Eligible urban poor households.
• Regular students studying in colleges.
• Students enrolled in correspondence courses were not eligible under the college student category.

Required Documents

During the original implementation of the scheme, identity documents were used for beneficiary identification and registration. According to the available official guidelines, these documents could include the following:

• Aadhaar Card or Aadhaar Enrolment ID (Aadhaar EID).
• PAN Card.
• Voter ID Card.
• Passport.
• Driving Licence.
• Ration Card with photograph.
• Identity Card issued by a government college or university.
• Other prescribed government identity documents.

The documents required depended on the beneficiary category and the registration process applicable at that time.

Steps to Apply

The original implementation process of the Sanchar Kranti Yojana involved identifying and registering beneficiaries through the concerned departments and local administration. According to the process mentioned on an official government district portal in 2018, students were instructed to submit forms at their colleges, while general citizens were required to submit forms through the Gram Panchayat or urban local body.

• In rural areas, eligible beneficiaries were identified through the concerned Panchayat and Rural Development system.
• In urban areas, beneficiaries were identified through the urban administration system.
• College student beneficiaries were identified through the Department of Higher Education.
• Identified beneficiaries were registered according to the prescribed process.
• After verification and approval of the final beneficiary list, eligible beneficiaries were provided with smartphones.
• At present, no new official notification is available regarding a new application process or fresh smartphone distribution.

Important Points

• Under the original scheme provisions, one smartphone was provided to each eligible rural and urban household.
• In the case of households, female members were given priority for smartphone distribution.
• If no female member was available in the household, a male member could be provided the smartphone according to the prescribed priority order.
• Regular college students were included in the eligible beneficiary category for college students.
• Students enrolled in correspondence courses were not eligible under the college student beneficiary category.
• The objective of the scheme was not limited to smartphone distribution; it also aimed to promote mobile connectivity, digital services, and financial inclusion.

Relevant Links

• Chhattisgarh Electronics and Information Technology Department
• Chhattisgarh Sanchar Kranti Yojana Guidelines
• Chhattisgarh Sanchar Kranti Yojana Application Form Format

Contact Information

• Electronics and Information Technology Department Helpline Numbers:
  • 0771-4014158
  • 0771-4023123
  • 0771-4066205
• Electronics and Information Technology Department Helpdesk Email: [email protected]