2 hrs ago
BMC Tablet Plan Stalls Over BJP’s Swadeshi Device Demand
Mumbai’s civic government wanted to give tablets to its 237 corporators.
The tablets would let them read meeting papers online.
This could reduce the large amount of paper, printing, delivery and staff work used today.
The plan was stopped because the BJP wants the tablets to be made in India.
Most advanced tablets listed on the government buying website are made by foreign companies.
Officials said suitable Indian-made tablets were not available there.
The BMC tried giving corporators laptops, phones and SIM cards in 2012, but the laptops were later returned or offered for purchase.
A later tablet proposal in 2017 also did not happen.
The BMC has paused plans to provide 13-inch tablets to all 237 corporators, including 10 nominated members.
The proposal stalled because tablets available through the Government e-Marketplace are largely made by foreign manufacturers.
The BJP wants the civic body to procure only Indian-made devices.
The tablets were intended to deliver committee and General Body agendas digitally and reduce paper-related costs.
Earlier BMC efforts to provide laptops and introduce tablets for corporators also failed to produce a lasting digital system.
- Who
- The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, its 237 corporators and the BJP-led civic administration, including House Leader Ganesh Khankar.
- What
- A plan to provide 13-inch tablets for accessing civic meeting agendas and documents has been put on hold.
- Where
- Mumbai.
- When
- September 5, 2026; the article also describes earlier digital initiatives from 2012 and 2017.
- Why
- The BJP demanded Indian-made tablets, while advanced devices available through the Government e-Marketplace were largely from foreign manufacturers.
Digital Civic Proceedings
Indian-Made Device Procurement
How to proceed with digitisation
Digital Civic Proceedings
Civic officials and digitally inclined corporators support advanced tablets and an app to provide agendas and documents online, reducing paper-based work.
Indian-Made Device Procurement
The BJP says the BMC should procure only Indian-made tablets, even though the required devices are currently unavailable from Indian companies on the Government e-Marketplace.
Foreign devices versus delayed procurement
Digital Civic Proceedings
The available advanced models from foreign manufacturers could help the BMC move toward a paperless system.
Indian-Made Device Procurement
The BJP’s position has led to cancellation of the current proposal rather than purchasing devices from foreign manufacturers.
Key facts
- Planned recipients
- 237 corporators, including 10 nominated members
- Planned device
- 13-inch tablets
- Procurement platform
- Government e-Marketplace
- Main obstacle
- Suitable Indian-made tablets were unavailable on the platform
- Intended purpose
- Digital access to House and committee agendas, proposals and supporting documents
- Earlier initiative
- In 2012, each representative received a Rs 35,000 laptop, smartphone and SIM card
- Later proposal
- A 2017 plan to replace laptops with tablets or iPads never materialised
Quotes
A civic official
An unnamed BMC official involved in the tablet procurement proposal
“We need advanced tablets for corporators, but the best available options are not from Indian companies. We have therefore been asked to hold the proposal.”
freepressjournal.in
Ganesh Khankar
BMC House Leader and BJP group leader
“Many corporators are digitally savvy and prefer receiving agendas online. The aim was to move civic proceedings towards a paperless system. However, we will procure only Indian-made tablets. As the required devices are unavailable from Indian companies on GeM, we cancelled the proposal”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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