The government’s proposal to provide a free mobile connection to all BPL families is understood to have been approved by the Telecom Commission. This is part of the UPA government’s pre-poll freebies to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, which will benefit about 60 lakh families. Along with the free mobile, a free talk-time of 200 minutes also will be allowed.Well and good.
The expenditure for this is expected to be Rs. 7,000 crore and will be taken from the USOF, which has got sufficient funds at its disposal.

UPA government and the ruling Congress Party is gearing up for the election. After the utter defeat in the recent assembly elections, the Congress is in a desperate move to woo the people. The news that the Congress has allotted Rs. 500 crores for advt. blitz to focus Rahul, itself speaks volumes of this desperation.