Panaji, Dec 5 (IANS): The Goa government on Monday launched the Goa Yuva Sanchar Yojana which will enable the state's youth between 16-30 years of age to avail of a free SIM card, free calling and free data services with a usage limit.

Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar launched the scheme on Monday, by distributing the first batch of SIM cards to youngsters from the state.

"Goa is taking the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modiji's digital India forward with this scheme which will digitally empower our youth," Parsekar said.

The scheme, which has been launched with the state assembly elections just a few months away, allows youths from Goa 100 minutes of talk time and one GB of data at 2 MBPS speed free of cost provided they register with Vodafone to avail the benefits.

Vodafone won the state government's bid beating Reliance Jio and Idea, with a quoted price of Rs 124.90 per individual beneficiary. Over 1.25 lakh of the state's 1.5 million population are eligible to be covered under the scheme, Parsekar added.