Are most of the decisions in Andhra Pradesh government are governed by interests of some influential companies? This is the question now going around the official and political circles of the state. At a time when the state is facing severe financial crisis, critics surprised with the absence of conservative spending of resources. Moreover, they accuses the government’s most of expenses seems to be wasteful.
The official circles in the government were stunned after the decision of the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to purchase 10 lakh mobilise by allocating a huge amount of Rs 500 crore. They suspect that some vested interested groups are misguiding in the name of `cashless’ economy.
Since demonetization move, chief minister has been focusing more on equipping every citizen with a mobile phone, more than enhancing infrastructure needed for cashless transactions. His critics says this reflects his intention of promoting mobile phone operators rather than persuading the public on cashless transactions.
In a recent meeting stressing the need for every poor too should equip with a mobile phone for easy access of cashless transactions, the chief minister assured that the government will helps them in this regard in the form of providing subsidy to get mobile phone or even ready to supply at free of cast.
Very recently, he had sanctioned Rs 500 crore to purchase 10 lakh mobile phones. He has directed the Andhra Pradesh Technology Services (APTS) to purchase phones.
Immediately APTS convened a meeting with cell phone providers and distributors bargaining price. However, they are yet confirm required features of such phones. As per primary estimations, each phone would cost around Rs 5,000.
An official from APTS said they will soon call for tenders for supply of cell phone once guidelines are ready. However, official circles are wondering the need to spend such huge amount for mobile phones at a time when the state finances turning critical due to fall in revenues.
