Lok Satta criticizes free mobile phone scheme

The Lok Satta Party today demanded that the Government squash the Planning Commission proposal for free supply of mobile phones to the poor.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party Working President D. V. V. S. Varma referred to the Planning Commission proposal to get the Prime Minister announce the free phone scheme from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15 and said such hare-brained schemes would not contribute to human resource development. The Government should focus on providing free quality education, healthcare and improvement of skills. It is yet to implement its promise to supply medicines free of cost to all patients.

Mr. Varma pointed out that schemes aimed at garnering voters are counter-productive and recalled how farmers even to this day are finding it difficult to get bank loans in the wake of the UPA I Government's loan waiver scheme. The scheme had failed even to arrest the tendency among farmers to commit suicide.