Sanchar Kranti Yojana

Sanchar Kranti Yojana (SKY) is a landmark digital inclusion and social welfare scheme launched by the Government of Chhattisgarh to reduce the digital divide and promote digital literacy across the state.[1] Launched in May 2018, the scheme envisioned the distribution of free smartphones to over 5.5 million beneficiaries, primarily focusing on women heads of households and college students.[2][3]

Objectives

The core objectives of the scheme were designed to foster a digitally connected society in Chhattisgarh:

  • Women Empowerment: Devices were exclusively issued in the name of the female head of the family to promote gender-specific digital literacy.[4][5]
  • Service Delivery: To provide a platform for citizens to access government services via mobile applications like the "Gothan" and "CG-PDS" apps.[6]
  • Connectivity: Addressing the lack of mobile penetration in the Bastar division and other tribal belts.[7]

Implementation and distribution

The scheme was executed by the Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS) in collaboration with telecommunication partners.[8]

Phases of distribution

  1. Phase I: Distribution to 4.5 million rural women in villages with a population over 1,000 and 500,000 urban BPL women.[9][10]
  2. Phase II: Targeting smaller villages and college students.[11]

Infrastructure support

To ensure the utility of the devices, the government sanctioned the installation of 1,600 additional mobile towers, particularly in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas.[12][13]

Controversies and political impact

The scheme became a focal point during the 2018 Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly election.

  • Allegations of Misuse: Opposition parties alleged that the phones were pre-loaded with ruling party propaganda.[14][15]
  • Quality Concerns: Post-2018, the incoming government led by Bhupesh Baghel ordered an audit into the quality and procurement costs of the handsets.[16][17]
  • Unused Stock: As of 2020, nearly 900,000 handsets were reportedly lying in warehouses due to the halt in distribution.[18]

Impact assessment

Academic studies and surveys by agencies such as IDinsight evaluated the socio-economic impact of the scheme.[19] Key findings included:

  • Increased access to digital payment systems in rural markets.[20]
  • Rise in the usage of digital education tools among college-going youth in tribal areas.[21]

References

  1. ↑ "Sanchar Kranti Yojana Details". District Bijapur Administration. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Chhattisgarh to distribute 55 lakh smartphones". The Hindu. 17 May 2018.
  3. ↑ "Raman Singh Launches SKY Scheme". NDTV. 30 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "CG-SKY Notifications". District Administration Dantewada. 23 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Digital Empowerment through SKY". Press Information Bureau. 27 July 2018.
  6. ↑ "Technical Implementation of SKY". Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS). Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  7. ↑ "Bastar Division: SKY Implementation". District Bastar Administration. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  8. ↑ "Reliance Jio wins Chhattisgarh smartphone contract". Livemint. 20 July 2018.
  9. ↑ "Sanchar Kranti Yojana Guidelines". District Jashpur. 13 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "Phase 1 of SKY distribution ends". Business Standard. 17 May 2018.
  11. ↑ "Smartphones for College Students under SKY". The Economic Times. 24 August 2017.
  12. ↑ "Tower Installation for SKY Connectivity". Department of Telecommunications. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  13. ↑ "1,500 towers to boost SKY project". News18. 26 July 2018.
  14. ↑ "Politics over Smartphones in CG". The Times of India. 31 July 2018.
  15. ↑ "Chhattisgarh's smartphone war". The Quint. 1 August 2018.
  16. ↑ "Baghel orders probe into SKY scheme". The Indian Express. 25 February 2019.
  17. ↑ "Audit of SKY scheme handsets". Patrika. 26 February 2019.
  18. ↑ "Stock of SKY phones remains idle". Hindustan Times. 14 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "Evaluating SKY Outcomes". IDinsight. 13 June 2025.
  20. ↑ "How SKY changed rural markets". Firstpost. 4 August 2018.
  21. ↑ "Digital shift in CG schools and colleges". The Tribune. 31 July 2018.
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