Daijiworld Media Network -Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 7: Minister for higher education Basavaraj Rayareddy distributed free laptops to the SC/ST students of district's Government First Grade College and Government Polytechnic College here at town hall on Saturday, January 6.

Free laptops were given to 650 students of Dakshina Kannada Government First Grade College and Government Polytechnic College. 

Addressing the gathering, Basavaraj Rayareddy said, “Siddaramaiah-led state government has decided to give free laptops to SC/ST students of government first grade college and Polytechnic college to the entire state. There are 412 first grade colleges, 85 polytechnic colleges and 14 engineering colleges in the entire state. We will give free laptops to all the students. By next week our government will distribute free laptops to 31,800 students. Students should make use of the laptops for their studies which help to build their knowledge. The ratio of higher education graduates among youths in the country is 24% and Karnataka has 27% and we have plans to rise up to 40% in higher education. So in order to raise the ratio, we formed a technical committee and decided to distribute free laptops to the students.”

“Families with less income can't afford to buy laptops and they should depend on the books to gain their knowledge but through laptops they can browse through search engines and gain knowledge. Once we cover up the SC/ST students, we will distribute free laptops to 1,50,000 students belonging to general category. Acer company has the tender to distribute laptops at Rs 14,500 which actual costs Rs 21,500 and this saved up to nearly Rs 10 crores to the government.” 

“Opposition had alleged loopholes in the laptop distribution and kept on opposing the scheme. Our laptop scheme is worth Rs 227 crores then how can there be a loophole of Rs 300 crores? The opposition has made baseless allegations. We should not play to the future of children and our politics should be outside but not with the future of children. Tender will be invited by February first week for free laptop distribution for general category and by March laptops will be distributed.” 

District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai said, “This was the most expected schemes of state government as out of our manifesto 95% promises have been fulfilled. Dakshina Kannada is known to be the land of educated but in recent times due to some communal organizations our district witnessed strings of violence. Some educated intentionally try to disrupt peace and harmony of the district. Our youths need to be alert as youths are our future and their each step matters a lot for our country's future. Today we are distributing free laptops as students should make use of it in technically advanced world and be knowledgeable.”  

MLA JR Lobo, Mohiudeen Baba, Mayor Kavitha Sanil and others were present.