UP Cabinet Approves Free Mobile for Youth, New Medical Colleges

According to an official statement, the Uttar Pradesh government authorized the final bid document for the purchase of 25 lakh smartphones for free distribution among young people during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The cabinet meeting in which this decision was made was held in Prayagraj, with Yogi Adityanath presiding on the chair.

The Cabinet also gave its approval for the chosen bidders to run medical schools in the three districts of Hathras, Kasganj, and Baghpat under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. 

New Medical College in UP

The Cabinet also agreed to move the Government Combined Hospital in Balrampur, which has 166 beds, to the Medical Education Department. This will make it possible for Balrampur to establish an autonomous state medical college that is connected to King George Medical University (KGMU). 

"This move aims to establish the Autonomous State Medical College, Balrampur, by converting the King George Medical University (KGMU) satellite center in Balrampur," the announcement read.

In addition to offering specialist healthcare, the new medical college will give young people access to medical education. 1,394 new academic and non-academic positions will be established in order to support this.

Distribution of Smartphones in UP

The final bid document for the acquisition of 25 lakh smartphones under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana was also approved by the Cabinet. The purpose of giving out smartphones is to provide young people access to technology. The program has a five-year timeline and a Rs 4,000 crore budget for the 2024–2025 fiscal year.

"This creative project intends to give smartphones to talented young people enrolled in technical education, health education, higher education, skill development training, and ITI programs, guaranteeing their technological empowerment and readiness for the future," the statement stated.

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PPP Model for Medical Colleges in Underserved Areas

The Cabinet also gave its approval to the selection of the winning bidders to run medical institutions under the Public-Private Partnership model with the Government of India Viability Gap Funding. These institutions will be established in underprivileged areas where there aren't any public or private medical colleges at the moment, such as Hathras, Kasganj, and Baghpat.

After assessing the technical and financial offers, Rajshree Educational Trust was chosen for Hathras and Kasganj, and Jaipal Singh Sharma Trust for Baghpat.

"This action ensures fair access to medical education and healthcare facilities, in line with the state's policy to establish medical colleges in underserved districts through PPP mode," the statement continued.

Modernization of ITIs in UP

A deal with Tata Technologies Limited (TTL) to modernize 62 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and create five Centers for Innovation, Invention, Incubation, and Training (CIIITs) was also authorized by the Cabinet. TTL will pay Rs 2,851 crores for this project, which is expected to cost over Rs 3,634 crores, while the government would invest over Rs 783 crores.

The project plans to train about 12,500 candidates each year, including 6,000 in long-term courses and 6,500 in short-term courses. According to the announcement, "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."