Chandigarh, Aug. 6 -- The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday paved the way for distribution, by November, of 1,73,823 smart phones to boys and girls of government schools, preparing to take their Class XII Board exams this year through online education amid the Covid pandemic.

Distribution of the first batch of 50000 phones, which has already been received by the state government, will begin shortly. The phones will be equipped with various smart features such as touch screen, camera and pre-loaded Government applications like 'e-Sewa App' with e-content related to Class XI and Class XII, as approved by Department of School Education.

The second batch will be procured soon, and the entire distribution process will be completed by November, sai...