The government is now in its final steps of approving the Rs 7000 crore scheme which makes every family below poverty line eligible for a free mobile phone,

The scheme named Har Hath Mein Phone would be launched by the Prime Minister on August 15th and would land over 6 million phones in the BPL households. They would also get over 200 minutes of free talk time along with the phones.

This move comes from the government managers who want to establish it as an empowering move for the UPA2. The move would also ensure to maintain touch with the beneficiaries of the welfare programmes which are also worth several thousand crores. It can be seen that UPA with this move would be in a direct line of communication with the BPL families who are a major part of the voting population for the 2014 polls.

Universal Service Obligation from the Telecom department might provide the funds for the scheme. However a 50% cost would also come from the bidder while the rest would be from USO. These funds are to be used to provide access to the phone services in all rural and remote areas with prices that are affordable by all.

As planned the cellphone would incur not more than Rs 100 per phone every month in the expenditures. There are also plans being made to subsidize the charges by competitive bidding.

A national infrastructure initiative under the PM's advisor Sam Pitroda has already been launched by the government which is expected to link over 2,50,000 panchayats via internet across the country within 16 months which would provide the basic communication facilities to the rural communuties.

(AW- Anil )