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TI asks HEC to review laptops distribution policy

IslamabadTransparency International (TI) has asked Higher Education Commission (HEC) to review the policy of distribution of laptops among students and shift to detachable tablets which are cost-effective and user-friendly. In a letter written to HEC Chairman Professor Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, TI-Pakistan Chairman Sohail Muzaffar has written that a letter was

By our correspondents
April 29, 2015
Islamabad
Transparency International (TI) has asked Higher Education Commission (HEC) to review the policy of distribution of laptops among students and shift to detachable tablets which are cost-effective and user-friendly.
In a letter written to HEC Chairman Professor Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, TI-Pakistan Chairman Sohail Muzaffar has written that a letter was sent to the prime minister of Pakistan on April 18, 2015, objecting on the Request for Proposal (RFP) of Phase II of the Prime Minister’s Laptops Scheme and the recommendation were also copied to the HEC chairman and e-mailed to Mr Abdul Khaliq and Mr Anwar Amjad. “On 27th April, 2015, Mr Abdul Khaliq sent the clarification of HEC and also asked for the specification of the Tablet (2-in-1 Detachable) costing Rs10,000, for consideration of Technical Committee. It is surprising to note that EEC has approved Tablet on 15th April, 2015, at cost of 25.33 billion, and the imported cost of the detachable tablet was approved to be $414 each. Mr Abdul Khaliq has asked Transparency International Pakistan to provide the information about the detachable tablet with specifications costing less than Rs10,000, as reported in Transparency International Pakistan’s letter to the Prime Minister”, the letter says. It adds: “We are providing from listed price from the website of Walmart USA, indicates this Nextbook 10.1” Intel Quad Core 2-In-1 Detachable Windows 8.1 Tablet is being sold at, US $179, and RCA 10.1” Tablet 16 GB Quad Core Bonus Keyboard/ Case Android tablet at $ 99.77. In case the specifications of ECC requires Window tablet, which Transparency International Pakistan is sure that Rack price of $ 179 at Walmart can be imported in Pakistan at cost less than Rs10,000 from the manufacturer, and in case the quantity is 500,000, we are assure that this Tablet can be imported at, less than Rs7000/ each.”
The Chairman, HEC is requested to put up this information supplied by Transparency International Pakistan to the committee, in the meeting to be held on 28th April, 2015, for revising the tender accordingly, it says.
It further adds that HEC’s response that specifications will be fixed for the first year for procurement of 100,000 laptops. For specification for subsequent years, specifications will be reviewed by HEC for any possible revisions/ modifications by the Technical Committee. “Transparency International Pakistan does not agree with the ECC decision to award the contract with variable specification for 4 years, without knowing the specifications of the 2nd, 3rd and 4thyear. How can a bidder quote not knowing what the specification would be in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th year. This approach of ECC is a serious violation of Public Procurement Rules 2004, Rule No. 10, which requires exact specification to be provided to bidder. Transparency International Pakistan feels that this 4 year supply to the ordered in 1st year amounts to be a collusive practice, under Rule No. 2(f) of Public Procurement Rules 2004. And if HEC proceed with ECC decision to made procurement for 4 years, the procurement will amounts to mis-procurement charge under Rule No 50. NAB has also declared mis-procurement as liable for cognizance by NAB under relevant section of NAO 1999 vide its letter No 5-2 (75) Pre/ A & P/ NABHQ/ 2013 dated 8th January, 2014”, it concludes.