The Freebie Trap
In the run-up to every election in India, political parties roll out a dazzling menu of promises like free electricity, free bus rides, cash transfers, laptops, gold chains, and even pressure cookers.
The Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday approved the distribution of free laptops to meritorious students and the establishment of Information and Communication Technology labs (ICT) in government schools under the Mukhyamantri Digital Education Scheme.
Speaking in a press briefing after the cabinet meeting, Delhi Education Minister Ajay Sood said that top 1200 academic achievers from class 10 will be awarded high-performance laptops equipped with latest i7 technology.
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The minister appreciated the decision to align with the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to promote digital learning. The scheme will incur an expenditure of Rs 8 crore, Sood added.
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Addressing the press briefing, he pointed out that despite the support from the Central government, the former Delhi government did not have a single functional ICT lab at 1074 government schools of the national capital.
Sood said the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved the setting up of 175 computer labs in government-run schools to bridge gaps in digital infrastructure. Each of these labs will house 40 computers following CBSE-approved parameters.
Earlier, the Delhi government in February announced giving free laptops to 1200 deserving students of class 12.
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