Why in news:

• The Rajasthan government, headed by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, has introduced a scheme that would provide smartphones to 1.35 crore women of the state.

Key Points:

• The Mukhyamantri Digital Seva Yojana of the Rajasthan government, which aims to provide smartphones to 1.35 crore women in the state, has received interest from three significant national telecom providers.
• The final decision on the bidders will be taken after evaluation by a high-level committee of the state government.
• It is pertinent to note here that the Mukhyamantri Digital Seva Yojana was introduced in this year's budget by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.
• In accordance with the plan, cellphones with internet connectivity would be provided for three years to the women who are the heads of the 1.35 crore families registered in the Chiranjeevi Health Insurance Scheme. Project implementation will be the responsibility of the state-owned firm Rajcomp.
• According to the state officials, the scheme will cost an estimated amount of Rs 12,000 crore which includes the price of mobile phones, three years of internet, and other services to be provided by the state government
• The devices to be provided to the beneficiaries will offer two-SIM capability. One SIM will be pre-activated in the supplied mobile device's "main slot," which cannot be removed or changed by the user.
• The mobile phones will be used by the state government to give benefits of various government schemes to the 'Chiranjeevi families'. Along with this, the government will be able to publicize its public welfare schemes through the devices and it will also have user data of those who have taken advantage of the schemes.