The project
of Prime Minister’s Laptops Scheme has positively contributed to Pakistan’s
grass domestic project (GDP) by attracting international vendor to invest in
Pakistan besides saving smart amount of Rs 1429.70 million (Rs 1.4 billion) in
the project as well. According to available documents available with this
scribe, the project also promoted outreach of youth to information and
communication technologies (ICTs) as well as to bridge divide within the
communities throughout the country.
Per official documents, the expected
cost of the project is 19905.79 million with FEC Rs.16,768.143 million out of
the approved cost Rs. 21,335.498 with FEC Rs. 16,918.944 million of 400,000
laptops. And the expected saving in this regard is Rs. 1,429.70 million
including FEC US$ 6.48 million. While estimating the cost of laptops, General
Sale Tax (GST) 17% was added on the import of laptops. The Federal Government
provided relief and exempted GST on import of laptops due to which unit cost of
laptops has decreased. The project has positively contributed to Pakistan’s GDP
by facilitating international vender to invest in Pakistan and establish local
assembling unit at Pakistan. The proposal also stated that out of total
assembly of 150,000 laptops have been completed successfully as per decision of
ECNEC.
The project objective is to promote
outreach of youth to information and communication technologies (ICT’s) as well
as to bridge the digital divide within the communities throughout the country.
Prime Minister's Laptop scheme was approved ECNEC in its meeting held on April,
10 2015 at capital cost of Rs.21,335.498 million with FEC Rs.16,918.944
million for a period of 48 months. And administrative approval was issued on
April 21, 2015. AS far as the concerns about financial status of the project,
Rs 16,048.026 million have been released up to FY 2016-17 out of approved cost
and Rs. 14,977.661 million have been utilized so far. The physical progress in
the regard includes procurement and distribution of total 400,000
laptops. Against the total target of 400,000 laptops distribution,
200,000 laptops have been distributed and out of the total number of laptops, a
contract has been signed for another 200,000 laptops. The letter of the credit
for 100,000 has been opened and LC for remaining 100,000 laptops will be
opened. The sponsoring agency has requested for utilizing savings
for additional laptops, which will result in 6-8% more physical scope without
proving any finicial burden. The slight adjustment of FEC has also been
requested. The higher education commission has requested permission to utilize
the expected saving of Rs. 1,429.70 million for procuring additional laptops
for the eligible students (25,000 to32,000).The matter to procure additional
laptop out of saving was referred to the project steering committee who
recommended that savings be utilized to procure additional laptops. The
report also stated that proposal seems viable and may be recommended to ECNEC
for final approval. As per directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the
National Programmed for provision of laptops was launched for the bright and
talented young students studying at public sector higher education institute,
Government polytechnic institutes and Government graduate and postgraduate
colleges of Fata and ICT.
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