As a part of online launching of Punjab Smart Connect Scheme (Distribution of Smartphones) by Punjab CM Capt. Amarinder Singh at all districts simultaneously today, Cabinet Minsiter Sadhu Singh Dharamsot Kick-started the symbolic distribution in District Patiala by formally handed over smartphones to 15 students.He said that around 13962 Class XII students of Patiala district under the first phase of 'Punjab Smart Connect Scheme' would be benefitted. On this occasion Lok Sabha Member from Patiala Mrs. Preneet Kaur conveyed her message through video conferencing and congratulated the youth for getting the phone and termed this scheme as a milestone towards digital empowerment of the youth of the state. Mrs. Preneet Kaur said that the Punjab Smart Connect Scheme, initiated by the Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh would help the students to advance in the academic field during the crisis of COVID which would shape the future of Punjab and the country. Congratulating the Chief Minister on launching 'Punjab Smart Connect Scheme' on the occasion of Janam Ashtami and International Youth Day, Forest, Social Justice and Empowerment Sadhu Singh Dharamsot said that by fulfilling all his election promises, Capt. Amarinder Singh has done what he said. Elaborating the scheme of providing smartphones to 1.74 lakh students of the state at a cost of about Rs. 92 Crore, Mr. Dharamsot said that this scheme would usher in a new revolution in the education system of the state, by scripting a new history. Mr. Dharamsot further said that due to the visionary thinking of the Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, the expectations of the youth have been fulfilled and this smartphone move would play a vital role in the education of the students when the online classes were taking place due to COVID.
He said that the Chief Minister had taken important decision to keep the youth mentally and physically healthy.In response to a question from reporters, Mr. Dharamsot said that the leaders of SAD-BJP alliance who had looted, beaten, pushed back and drugged the youth of Punjab for 10 years during their tenure, had no right to point out finger at Captain Amarinder Singh Government. Applauding the Chief Minister, Mr. Dharamsot said that he also resigned from the Lok Sabha and put the Chief Minister's chair at stake on the water issue by expressing strong commitment to Punjab.Students from various schools of the district, Manmeet Kaur, Mehakdeep Singh, Jatin Sharma, Diksha, Mehakdeep Kaur, Gaurvika Sharma, Sukhjinder Singh, Manpreet Kaur, Harmanjot Kaur, Simi Sharma, Arshdeep Kaur, Ajay, Julius, Jaspreet Kaur and Manpreet Kaur who received phones on this occasion, especially thanked the Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh. The students said that they got these phones at a time when their online studies were in full swing but they were facing difficulties as they did not have smartphones.During the function, MLA Rajpura Mr. Hardyal Singh Kamboj, MLA Ghanour Mr. Madan Lal Jalalpur, MLA Shutrana Nirmal Singh, MLA Samana Rajinder Singh, Harinderpal Singh Harrymann, PRTC Chairman K.K. Sharma, Municipal Corporation Mayor Mr. Sanjeev Sharma Bittu, Congress President (Urban) Mr. K.K. Malhotra, Rural President Gurdeep Singh Untsar, Congress President (Women) Mrs. Kiran Dhillon, Youth Congress President Mr. Anuj Khosla.Officials Mr. Chandra Gaind, Divisional Commissioner, Mr. Kumar Amit, Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Vikram Jeet Duggal SSP, Patiala Corporation Commissioner Mrs. Poonamdeep Kaur, ADC (G) Mrs. Pooja Syal Grewal, Assistant Commissioner (G) Dr. Ismat Vijay Singh, DEO Harinder Kaur including School principals were also present.