Cabinet nod to deal with HP for purchase of 15 lakh laptops

The UP Cabinet on Wednesday decided to purchase 15 lakh laptops from HP Sales India Private Limited, which had submitted the lowest bid, in order to implement the ruling Samajwadi Party's election promise of giving free laptops to students who passed Class XII in 2012.

The laptops will be bought at the rate of Rs 19,058 each. The Cabinet took the decision on the recommendation of the technical and evaluation committee, which was constituted by the UP Electronics Corporation. The company has to supply the laptops within 210 days — with 5 per cent (75,000) within 60 days. The supply will be taken at tehsil level.

Other Cabinet decisions

The Cabinet also approved the Solar Power Policy 2013, under which solar power plants will be set up on government lands by developers which will be selected through a transparent process.

In order to encourage setting up of new sugar mills in 23 select districts, the Cabinet approved Sugar Industry, Co-generation and Distillery Promotion Policy.

The Cabinet also decided that the campus of the Sampoornanand Jail Training Institute, which was transferred to the Housing Department by the Mayawati government, will be handed back to the Prison Department.

The Cabinet approved the Centre's fund restructuring plan for the power distribution companies and decided to send its in-principal approval to the Power Ministry.

Cong slams govt

Uttar Pradesh Congress accused the state government of ignoring the plight of sugarcane farmers in the Cabinet meeting. Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Amarnath Aggarwal said: "Nearly Rs 3,300 crore is due — in payments to sugarcane farmers — but rather than taking a serious decision in the Cabinet meeting, the government not only sidelined the issue in its agenda but also approved a policy for promoting sugar industry in order to appease the sugar mill owners."

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