Maharashtra govt finds company to supply 50 Apple iPads for e-cabinet system
Mumbai: The state govt finally found a company to supply 50 Apple iPads for ministers and senior officials to run its e-cabinet system. After the previously shortlisted company refused to supply the iPads in a week's time, the govt was forced to scrap the tender.
The state govt decided to place an order with a new company. The govt will spend over Rs 1 crore to buy the 50 Apple iPads.
To implement the e-cabinet system immediately, a short-term e-tender was published. As Innovative Techhub was the only bidder eligible in the technical scrutiny, its commercial bid was opened. The total price quoted is lower than bids received previously. The Information Technology department also ensured the reasonableness of the prices mentioned in the supply order given to Innovative Techhub regarding the purchase of iPads, a Govt Resolution (GR) said.
The state govt last week cancelled the work order to buy 50 Apple iPads for ministers and select officials after the supplier said that iPads were not immediately available and couldn't be supplied in a week. The state govt in April decided to provide iPads for all ministers and select senior officials for Rs 1.6 crore for the implementation of an e-cabinet system.
However, activists criticised the govt over the decision to buy iPads for ministers. "A few days ago, the Maharashtra govt proposed purchasing iPads to distribute among ministers. Tenders were even invited. At that very moment, I raised a question — For ministers who don't even have official email IDs, what exactly is the use of an iPad? A toy? Who found a contractor who can't even supply 50–60 iPads? How was his tender approved? Is this just administrative incompetence, or something more? Who will answer these questions? 90% of ministers don't have official govt email IDs.
Those who do use emails, use private ones. So, this e-Cabinet — was it going to run on WhatsApp? e-governance without email is like walking blindfolded," RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar said in a post on X.
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