Jaipur, Aug 10 (IANS): Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday distributed smartphones among women at Birla Auditorium in Jaipur, under the first phase of Indira Gandhi Smartphone Yojana.

Launching the scheme, Gehlot said: "A budget announcement is going to be completed today. This shows that we don't just make promises, but also deliver."

"There is a shortage of semiconductor chips across the world, due to which mobiles are not being made. That's why mobiles will be given in different phases," he said.

The chief minister said in the first phase, a target has been set to distribute mobiles to 40 lakh women, and around 80 lakh mobiles will be given in the next phase.

Gehlot said smartphones will empower women.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP say that we are distributing 'rewadis' (freebies) this is for women empowerment.

He said: "By 2030, we will take suggestions from everyone to make Rajasthan one of the top states of the country. Who will be the Chief Minister in the year 2030 is a different matter, but we have to take the state to the forefront, he added.

Gehlot said that we will hold a big non-violent protest on October 2, to spread the message of love and brotherhood across the country.