CHENNAI: The AIADMK government has completed 100 per cent distribution of laptops to all eligible students free of cost, one of the key election promises made by party supremo J Jayalalithaa in the manifesto for the 2011 Assembly elections. The scheme was aimed at providing a level playing field in developing skills without discrimination between the digital ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.
Minister for Information and Special Programme Implementation, KT Rajendra Balaji, while reviewing the progress made in implementing the special programmes announced by the Chief Minister, said a total of 31,76,018 students of Plus Two course studying in government and government-aided schools, students of government and government-run arts and science colleges, engineering colleges and polytechnics have received laptops free of cost during between 2011 and 2016. The scheme was launched by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on September 15, 2011 at Kakkalur in Tiruvallur district.
On the price of each computer, official sources said, “On an average, it ranged from Rs 14,000 to Rs 15,000 per unit. The initial budgetary allocation for this scheme stood at Rs 6,456.44 crore. Of this, for the current year, the allocation made was Rs 1,100 crore for providing 5.50 lakh computers. However, we have issued laptops to all eligible students. The total price involved is likely to increase.”
Remembering the leader
■ Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday paid homage to former Chief Minister CN Annadurai on his 47th death anniversary
■ Sama Pandhi Bhojanam (dining of all communities) took place in 319 temples under the HR and CE Department across the State to mark the day. In Chennai, it was held in 32 temples
■ Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal and Finance Minister O Panneerselvam and other Ministers took part in the special prayers and public feast
The laptops distributed under this scheme have as part of their software package, a windows starter edition for students and a LINUX-based Bharat Operating System Solution (BOSS), dictionary, Thirukkural and syllabi pertaining to different subjects. Special software has been provided for the visually impaired students. The Tamil Nadu government logo is displayed on the screen when the laptop computer is switched on.