CBI Inquiry Sought into Buying Computers- Uttaranchal News

[C2N <czn@sancharnet.in>]

News paper headlines has been hit  in the recent past in Uttaranchal
because
controversies  have been raised  by  opposition parties, media and  IT
experts the  way   so called  " Computerisation" and IT
education are taking shape on the name of  developing  knowledge
societies/communities.

When a  cash  crunch  Uttaranchal Govt., is  spending crores of 
rupees for buying   MNC brand high speed  PCs and  transported to  
isolated villages by mules  where there is no power supply (in many of
the cases), classe rooms  are in pathetic conditions, no proper
chairs/table, no books/manuals libraries, no IT litrate staff, no
defined syllabus for students,
no connectivity etc. and  in most of cases students are just allowed to
see them from
distance,  because  they are expensive equipments.

Education Minister Shri Narendra Singh Bhandari, Uttaranchal Govt. said
the Education deptt is not  responsible for  any such purchase and
decision in this regd. ( source
Amar Ujala dt:  24 march, 03) Then  responsibilities comes to IT deptt
(which is direct under CM) and legal notice has been served to one
oppostion leader  by  the IT Deptt on raising this issue.( is it  the
implementiaton of " The freedom of information bill, 2002)

Why  can't  we   go   for  cheap PCs (Indian product like Simputer) or
used/recycled ones for such  initial awareness  programs and leaverage
these
resources for  better  support system in this Hilly  and poor state.  

Is it  the only  way for computerization or buidling  Information
Society (by buying MNC brand PCs and MS office packages) or do  we have 
other alternate and affordable solutions??

The copy of the news appeared in Hindustan Times dt: 18th March, 03  is 
enclosed.

Comments, feedback and suggestions  are  welcome..., 
Regd.,
Anil  
======================================================

Source : Hindustan Times ( dated 18th March, 03)

Inquiry sought into buying of computers

The Uttranchal unit of the Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) has asked CM
N.D. Tiwari to seek a  CBI investigation into the methods used for
procurement of computers for schools and colleges.

State Party chief, Suryakant Dhasmana alleged that the Information
Technology Department, the agency responsible for procuring the
computers, had flouted several norms laid down by the Central Vigilance
Commission for awarding contracts.

“Rules ban negotiations with others than the lowest bidder. But the
department has been holding discussions with other bidders. Directions
have also been issued to procure software from dealers of particular
companies”, he said

Dhasmana targeted the methods used for imparting computer education to
teachers. “ Instead of appointing computer operators to teach students,
the government has decided to provide a two week training to existing
teachers who would teach students. How does one expect a computer
illiterate to become an expert within such a short time?”, he questioned

Dhasmana urged Tiwari to seek a CBI probe into the matter. He threatened
that if  the government failed to take action, the party would launch an
agitation.