Giftland calls for probe of original laptop tender

President of Giftland OfficeMax Roy Beepat yesterday said that there appeared to be “ad hoc” adjustments to the original requirements in the first tender for the supply of computers for the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project and called on Minister Manzoor Nadir to conduct an independent probe into the matter.

Responding to statements made by Nadir and Project Manager Sesh Sukhdeo during a press conference on Tuesday, Beepat again staunchly defended his company’s bid and denied that the sample it submitted was counterfeit and argued that checks were made with the wrong dealer.

Contacted last evening, Nadir, who holds Cabinet responsibility for the OLPF project, played down the likelihood of an independent evaluation. “I have faith in the system,” he said.  He said that while Beepat may genuinely believe he had a compliant bid, the