UP Cabinet Approves Smartphone Scheme, New Medical Colleges In 3 Districts – News18

Last Updated:January 23, 2025, 08:26 IST

UP Cabinet approves smartphone distribution for youths, new medical colleges, and ITI upgrades to enhance healthcare, education, and skill development.

The Uttar Pradesh government approved several major initiatives in a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, including the purchase of 25 lakh smartphones for free distribution to youths. The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was held in Prayagraj.

The Cabinet also approved the selection of successful bidders to operate medical colleges in the public-private partnership (PPP) mode in Hathras, Kasganj, and Baghpat districts. The move aims to provide better healthcare and medical education in underserved areas.

In addition, the Cabinet decided to transfer the 166-bed Government Combined Hospital in Balrampur to the Medical Education Department. This will allow the creation of an Autonomous State Medical College in Balrampur, which will be affiliated with King George Medical University (KGMU). “This move aims to establish the Autonomous State Medical College, Balrampur, by converting the Balrampur satellite centre of King George Medical University (KGMU),” the statement said.

The new medical college will provide specialized healthcare and create medical education opportunities for youth. To support this, 1,394 new academic and non-academic posts will be created.

The Cabinet also approved the final bid document for the purchase of 25 lakh smartphones under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana. The goal is to empower youths technologically by distributing the smartphones for free. The scheme will run for five years, with a budget of Rs 4,000 crore for the financial year 2024-25.

“This innovative initiative aims to provide smartphones to skilled youth enrolled in higher education, technical education, health education, skill development training, and ITI programs, ensuring they become technically empowered and future-ready,” the statement said.

The Cabinet also approved the selection of successful bidders to operate medical colleges in the PPP mode with Viability Gap Funding from the Government of India. These colleges will be set up in underserved districts, including Hathras, Kasganj, and Baghpat, where no medical colleges currently exist in the public or private sector.

Rajshree Educational Trust was selected for Hathras and Kasganj, and Jaipal Singh Sharma Trust for Baghpat after evaluating the technical and financial bids.

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“This step aligns with the state’s policy to establish medical colleges in underserved districts through PPP mode, ensuring equitable access to medical education and healthcare facilities,” the statement added.

Lastly, the Cabinet approved an agreement with Tata Technologies Limited (TTL) to upgrade 62 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and establish five Centers for Innovation, Invention, Incubation, and Training (CIIITs). This project, costing over Rs 3,634 crores, will see TTL contribute Rs 2,851 crores, and the government will provide over Rs 783 crores.

The project aims to train around 12,500 candidates annually, with approximately 6,000 in long-term courses and 6,500 in short-term courses. “The project aims to train around 12,500 candidates annually, with approximately 6,000 in long-term courses and 6,500 in short-term courses,” the statement said.

(With inputs from PTI)