Transparency, merit ensured in purchase, distribution of laptops: Punjab government

Punjab government's spokesman Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said that transparency and merit were ensured in the purchase and distribution of laptops in accordance with the policy of Punjab government. He said that laptops are being given to the students in recognition of their talent so that they could play their due role in the development of the country after acquiring latest knowledge.
He expressed these views while addressing a press conference regarding distribution of laptops here on Sunday. Special Assistant to Chief Minister Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Higher Education, Chairman Punjab Information Technology, Secretary Information and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.
Rashid said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government took a number of steps for polishing the talent of youth in its first tenure and now laptops were being given to the talented students purely on merit. Pervaiz Rashid said that IT labs were set up earlier at the cost of five billion rupees in schools of the province so that the students of backward areas could have access to the latest knowledge.
He said that project of purchase of laptops had been earmarked in the current fiscal budget and transparency has been ensured in its distribution.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that Punjab government has completed all codal formalities in the procurement and through open competition lowest bidding firm was selected for purchase of laptop computers. He said that the total cost of laptops was Rs 37,700, which included 15 months warranty, after sale service, bag, storage expenses and airfare. He said that if these charges were excluded, the price of laptop came to Rs 31000. He said that education department or government had no concern with the distribution of laptops. He said that heads of educational institutions prepared lists on merit basis and these lists were on display at the website. He said the list of those students who have been given laptops would also be placed on the website along with serial number of the laptop.
"If any complaint is received anywhere, it is addressed immediately," he added and referred to the complaint about two candidates in Bahawalpur. The matter was investigated, one was an official of 1122 and the other was employee of police department. He said that they have been dismissed from service due to submitting wrong affidavit and their laptops have been cancelled.
Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that 85 thousand laptops have been received so far out of which 63,690 have been distributed in 28 districts whereas the process of distribution of laptops will be started in the remaining eight districts. He disclosed that 25 thousand laptops would be received by the department within a week.
Pervaiz Rashid said that PML-N government has purchased one lakh 25 thousand laptops by curtailing its expenditure. He said that no new car, curtains or furniture has been purchased in the budget while air-conditioners of Chief Minister House as well as other offices are also not switched on before 11:00am. He said that more than three lakh laptops would be given to talented students in the next budget as well.
He said that contrary to Tehrik-e-Insaf, which is a new-born in the political field,
Nawaz Sharif has been taking steps for the encouragement of talented students and youth since he was the Chief Minister and will continue to evolve such schemes in future as well.