1,771 students given laptops twice under PM’s youth scheme

LAHORE: About 1,771 students were given laptops twice under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme in the province, revealed an inquiry report into the alleged corruption in the scheme.

The scheme, which was launched in 2013 as a part of Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, aimed to help improve the scope of research and provide quality education with access to information technology to the students.

However, many instances of alleged scam in the scheme were reported after which a committee, headed by Additional Chief Secretary Punjab Shamail Ahmad to Chief Minister, was formed to investigate the issue, according to sources.

The report, which was submitted by Ahmad to Chief Minister on Monday, also pointed out that about 2,481 fake identity cards of students were registered.

The committee held nine officials responsible for their carelessness including Higher Education Commission’s Additional Secretary and Deputy Secretary. The officials were held responsible for their failure to review the distribution of the laptop scheme, for which a review committee was also formed.

Sources revealed that the review committee members also failed the universities where the distribution ceremonies were to occur.

Moreover, relevant university heads were cleared of the charges, according to sources.