Government auditor CAG has found faults with the tendering process adopted by Goa government for procuring laptop for students and said they were bought at prices higher than those prevailing in the market, resulting in an "extra" expenditure of about Rs 10 crore.
The Comptroller Auditor General, in its report tabled today in the state Assembly by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, has noted that the education department adopted a "faulty" tendering process for the "Laptop E-scheme".
"The tender conditions were such that the rates quoted by only five agencies were considered despite participation of 10 technically qualified bidders," the report said.
"The procurement rates were higher than the market rates assessed, resulting in an extra expenditure of Rs 9.66 crore," it said.
Students of 11th and 12th standard are given laptops by the government under the scheme.
"The Joint Secretary of Finance department had in July 2011 reported that market inquiry had revealed that considering the bulk purchase, the laptop would roughly cost Rs 18,000 per unit. However, the price offered by the bidder was Rs 21,990," it noted.
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