Before the code of conduct comes into effect in the state, the standing committee of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) on Tuesday gave its nod to purchase 500 computers and a deal has been finalised at a cost of Rs15 crore.
The matter was listed as an ‘urgent one’ in the standing committee meeting. Sources said not only the computers that AMC will buy are outdated ones but the Smart City’s authorities have purchased AMD processors, mostly used in mobile phones!
However, civic body officials believe they have made the best deal. “We have discussed everything with officials at e-governance department. The is no issue with the deal we have made. We have purchased the latest computers available in the market,” said Pravin Patel, standing committee chairman, AMC.
Computer expert Vishal Bhimjiyani said, generally for office work, intel processors are used. “The latest are seventh generation intel processor. At present, majority of the people are not buying AMD processor computers,” said Bhimjiyani.
The deal made for AMD processor is equal to that of Intel i3. “This is how the work is happening at the civic body. Discarded and old items in the market are being bought at higher rate here. The AMD processor computers which are available in market at a cost of Rs 22,000 to Rs 25,000 in retail were bought by AMC at then rate of Rs 38,000,” said Dinesh Sharma, leader of opposition at AMC.
It is to be noted that a similar deal was proposed by the e-governance department in March 2016, which was stalled by the then municipal commissioner D Thara. Thara personally kept a vigil on the matter when it was introduced in the standing committee and AMC had to re-tender the entire deal.
EXPERT SPEAK
- According to computer expert Vishal Bhimjiyani, “The latest are seventh generation intel processor. At present, majority of the people are not buying AMD processor computers.”
