Two things happened back to back. First, class Xth results were announced in Jharkhand. Second, Uttar Pradesh Government distributed laptops among 8000students. No direct links! But a good initiative in one of the State raised hope of the another.
Distribution of laptops among UP students raised the hopes among tenth passed students in Jharkhand of getting tablets. Because, on 15 November 2012 - State’s 13th Foundation Day - the then Chief Minister Arjun Munda had announced “Our Government will give tablet to all students passing matriculation in the State.”
And here it is! A happy piece of news for class tenth pass-outs- irrespective of their boards of affiliation like Jharkhand Academic Council, CBSE or ICSE or others – who have continuing their studies further. They will get the tablets for sure, though bit later.
Planning & Development Department Secretary, Avinash Kumar, said, “Not now” but sources in the department informed that a “cabinet note has been prepared” for the same. “The students will get tablets for sure sooner or later. I hope it will be by January 2014 that they get it. But much will depend on when the next government gets sworn in and the proposal gets the required government approval,” the source said.
The Jharkhand Government has been making multiple efforts to make the works “paper free”. While announcing the scheme Munda had said that it would be one step in that direction. Divulging deep into what exactly the students will get – Aakash tablets, laptops, PCs or tablets from some other company – the source said that it would neither be an Aakash tablet, nor laptops or PC.
“But tablets from any other manufacturer would be provided depending on who grabs the tenders. The cost per tablet will come around Rs. 3,200-3,400. We have got the specifications ready. In market tablets with such specifications cost anything between Rs, 7,000 - 8,000. We will float a global tender for the same.” He said.
The department will distribute tablets among around 2.75 lakhs students. The tablets will come with a USB port for connecting it to Internet through modem. But modem will not be provided.“I hope tablets will be distributed among students irrespective of which party comes into the power. No government will oppose the scheme that has the potential of changing Jharkhand forever with a budget allocation which is pretty small compared to the budget of the State,” said KK Sinha, Special Secretary, Planning & Development Department.