UP govt scraps bidding process, clears decks for purchase of 1,23,398 smart phones

LUCKNOW The UP government on Tuesday cleared the decks to buy 1,23,398 smart phones, setting aside the controversy over the process of bidding initiated earlier for the purchase.

The smart phones will be used by ‘anganwadi’ workers under the National Nutrition Mission programme. Each phone is expected to cost ₹9,440 and a sum of ₹116.48 crore had been earmarked for the purpose.

A government order (dated July 26, 2021) titled ‘financial and administrative sanction to buy smart phones in 2021-2022 through GeM portal under Poshan Abhiyan’ has been issued in this regard by special secretary Garima Yadav cancelling the financial and administrative sanction issued vide GO number 13/2020/1763/58-1-20-2/3 (6) 13TC (dated July 24, 2020) to buy smart phones.