The Times of India    24.08.2012

No tablet PCs for corporation schools

NEW DELHI: The erstwhile MCD's ambitious plan to give tablet computers to students in its schools has been put on hold due to shortage of funds. Sources say that increase in the cost of the tablet computer has forced the three new municipal corporations to scrap the proposal.

Post trifurcation, ruling BJP claims that the three corporations are facing a financial crisis and now it is not possible to implement this plan.

"We don't have a good source of income and the Delhi government has burdened %us with a loan of Rs 790 crore at a very high %interest rate. Now, we don't have money to fund the increase in cost of the tablet computers. And there are several important %projects that need to be attended to immediately," said V P Pandey, deputy chairman, standing committee, North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

According to sources, the project has been scrapped as the cost of the tablet has increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,500 (approx).