With elections on the horizon, the State government looks to extend its much-touted freebie for students: free laptops.
However, with authorities still discussing the modalities of covering as many students as possible to give the laptops discussed in the Budget, it is the students themselves who are left in a lurch.
Nearly three months since the start of the academic year, not one laptop has been distributed among those who are studying in degree courses.
The reason: the Higher Education Department wants to relax and tweak some of the criteria for students to get laptops, and to cover a larger base, but are still discussing the modalities.
“The distribution should have happened by now. Tenders have not yet been called, and it will take a few more months to process it,” said an official at the department.
2017-18 Budget
It was during the 2017-18 State Budget in March that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced the distribution of 1.5 lakh free laptops.
In August the State Cabinet approved it, setting the criteria that parents’ annual income should be less than ₹2.5 lakh.
However, to increase the base the department is “mulling” increasing the income limit to ₹6 lakh.
This would increase the distribution by 10% - or nearly 15,000 more. No decision has been taken and the delays continue.
“We have several assignments and projects and are eagerly waiting for the laptop. What use would it be if the government gives us the laptops in November or December, when the first semester would already be completed,” said a student of a government first grade college.
Students in all government first-grade colleges, constituent university colleges, engineering and architecture colleges, polytechnics, medical and dental colleges, AYUSH and nursing colleges as well as pharmacy, agriculture and horticulture, veterinary colleges are eligible for the laptops if they fulfil their criteria.
The scheme has previously run into trouble too. Last year, laptops were to be distributed to 35,000 students belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe community at an estimated cost of ₹55 crore. The distribution has not yet happened, even though the students are now in their second year.
“We have placed work orders now, and hopefully, will start distribution in the coming month,” said an official.
