As the 2014 general elections fast approach, leaders in India are already looking for an appropriate political game, especially the UPA and the Congress. It seems like the Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal is going to make the best use of the Aakash tablet, with the help of the cash transfer scheme.
On February 11, 2013, Sibal revealed at a function that the government might procure the Aakash Tablet for Rs. 1,500 per piece and will distribute it among students for Rs. 1,130 per piece. The telecom minister also said that he has already discussed the plan with Rajat Moona, the Director General of C-DAC.
At present, the government is purchasing the tablet at Rs. 2,263 per-piece from Datawind. In December 2012, the minister had assured that students could get the tablet at a price tag of Rs. 1,900. Sibal has assured that the Aakash would be equipped with all facilities that are provided by any other modern tablet.
The minister said, “It performs the same function as a $150 tablet”. The government is yet to get the approval of the Cabinet for the manufacturing of 50 lakh units of the Aakash tablets in the country. Datawind is expected to supply 100,000 units of Aakash 2 to IIT Bombay, which would then be distributed to the Engineering University and College students.
