UP Government free laptop scheme plays havoc with Agra market

The Uttar Pradesh government distributed 15 lakh laptops from Hewlett-Packard (HP) India among students who pass high school, as promised by Samajwadi Party during Assembly polls in 2012. Uttar Pradesh Electronics Corporation Limited purchased 15 lakh laptops at Rs. 19,058 (including taxes and duty) from HP India Sales Private Limited.

The aim behind this scheme was to bridge the gap between urban and rural students so that those residing in villages can make use of technology and gain high level of knowledge but the story went to another track.

Since this scheme has initiated there were a decline seen in computer business in Agra and near by regions. Agra the city of Taj covers a large area to sell the IT products to near by regions like Mathura, Firozabad, Etah, FatehpurSikri and others are facing decline in business problem.

Student in large number beneficiaries include students passing high school and intermediate examination conducted by UP Secondary Education Board, Poorva Madhyama and Madhyama of Sanskrit Education Board, Munshi/Maulvi and Alim of Madrasa Board cut the large number of selling laptops in Agra region. Since the large three years most of the students have free laptop so the footfalls went down n Agra IT market.

Though it was a good idea to bridge the gap between urban and rural student but what about those villages where electricity and internet connection is not properly available. Students using laptops for just play games, to watch films and listening to music. And after getting bored they are selling their laptops in market on very low price. This volleyball game of laptop to one hand to another affecting the IT business.

Anand Prakash, secretary, Agra Computer Association, said “Since the scheme has started and student availed from this scheme, footfalls in Sanjay place (IT Hub Agra) have gone down for laptops. Our IT market covers a large area but most of the student having laptops so all retailers are facing cut in sales problem. Also, students who availed this scheme but they don’t know how to operate or then don’t have use of it, are selling their laptops in market which effecting the business.”