The five-year programme comes with a US$ 2 billion price tag. Critics say software is too basic for the cost, better to invest in infrastructure and social services.

Chennai (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Authorities in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu have begun handing out the first of an estimated 6.8 million free laptops to schoolchildren.

The US billion programme is the first of its kind in India. It has been praised and criticised. Supporters say it will help disadvantaged children whose parents cannot afford a computer. Critics argue the scheme panders to the masses and wastes precious resources.

The free laptop scheme was an election promise by the new government led by J Jayalalitha in October.

Some critics note that the costs, estimated by some at US$ 470 million this year alone, are simply too high, and that money could be better spent in areas such as social services and infrastructure.

Others add that the US$ 292 laptops are equipped only with elementary software that may not be suited for secondary school students, let alone university students.

In its defence, the government said that the allocation to laptop computer this year constitutes less than 3 per cent of budgeted revenue receipts.

The government is also providing other goods like kitchen aids and meat mincers promised in the election campaign. Poor families who are registered with food aid programme will also get goats and sheep.

Tamil Nadu, in southern India, is a leader in information technology. Political leaders have splurged on voters in the past. Outgoing Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for example gave out thousands of colour televisions during his stay in office.

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