UP assembly polls: SP may promise free mobiles to students in its manifesto

Lucknow, Aug 31: After free laptops to students, the ruling Samajwadi Party is mulling giving mobile phones to students and might include it in the party's manifesto for the 2017 assembly polls.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav hinted at the possibility today while addressing a programme here.

"We have fulfilled our promise (made in 2012 assembly manifesto) of providing free laptops to students. In the days to come, it is possible that for poor, government might decide to give some facilities.

If we have to give mobile to common man, we Samajwadis will also think in this regard and might include it in our manifesto," he said. Claiming that people were "waiting" for the SP manifesto, Akhilesh said "a lot is promised in other manifestos, but nothing is done".

"Samajwadis will think of something which we can give to next generation or something through which they can get more information about the government and share their expectations.

The cities are becoming smart and through mobile applications people are getting information," he said. SP government had in its 2012 manifesto promised to provide free laptops to meritorious students and it also benefitted the party politically with the party getting absolute majority in the state.

Akhilesh said UP would become "hub of mobile manufacturing" in near future and majority of factories would come up in Noida and nearby areas.

On the issue of corruption, Akhilesh said it was a matter of concern to reduce corruption at all levels and if daily working is associated with latest technology, it could bring transparency.

PTI