Haryana Government announced that all government aided colleges in the state would be made ‘Free Wi-Fi’ campus. Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma said that this decision would also encourage the system of cashless transactions.
Sharma said that Reliance Jio would set up the infrastructure and provide its services free of cost. As part of the introductory offer, it would give 20 MB free usage per day per user for all students and staff members for one year. In addition, Reliance Jio would also bear the cost of electricity required for functioning of Wi-Fi.
He said that Reliance Jio would block all objectionable websites as per instructions of Central Government.
All the Principals of Government Colleges have already been directed to provide suitable space and security for Wi-Fi or small cell and other relevant network equipment. They would also provide power supply for the equipment, however Reliance Jio would pay the electricity bills so generated.
Meanwhile, in a separate orders issued, the Education Minister stated that the staff of government aided schools in Haryana will now function under the School Education Department.
The decision would bring 2200 employees of these schools under the ambit of Haryana School Education Department and the State Government’s exchequer would bear an additional burden of Rs 1100 crore, said the Minister.
Sharma said that while teaching and non-teaching staff working in government aided schools had been raising the demand for their inclusion under School Education Department for the last many years, their demand had not been considered by any previous government.