Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jan 29: Students pursuing first-year degree in government first grade colleges across Karnataka are still waiting for the laptops promised to them by the state government.
In a glittering ceremony on January 12, Karnataka government launched the higher education department’s Rs 300-crore scheme, where 1.1 lac laptops were promised for economically-weaker first year degree students. Eight meritorious students were handed the laptop by chief minister B S Yediyurappa himself.
Students with the laptops (file photo)
However, soon after the ceremony, the students were asked to return the laptops and were told it was only a ‘symbolic gesture’.
“The laptops were given to eight students as a symbolic gesture. However, other formalities for these laptops must be completed, including verification and linking it to their names. All eligible students will receive the laptops soon,” Department of Collegiate Education commissioner Anirudh Sravan told Times of India.
He also assured that the distribution of laptops will compete by February 15.
According to sources, some colleges have received laptops. However, with pending third-party installation and software verification, it is not yet distributed to students.
On Monday, BJP MLA Halappa Achar distributed laptops ‘symbolically’ in a programme at Yelburga of Koppal district. Similar, ‘symbolic distributions’ have started in various districts of Karnataka.