Laptop scheme implemented in Goa

Goa: Goa launched an interest-free laptop scheme for teachers of high schools, higher secondary schools, colleges and technical institutions on Sep 4. The scheme was announced long back in 2006. According to this scheme, EDC and the state government have agreed to bear the amount of interest on the loans. This makes it possible for teachers to get interest-free loan of Rs 40,000 to be paid over a period of five years for purchasing a laptop of his/her own choice. This makes Goa the first state of its kind in India to implement such a scheme.

Terence Vegas, Branch Manager, Ingram, believes this scheme to be beneficial not only for the teachers but also the partners and distributors in Goa. “We have been receiving positive responses from the teachers and around
200-250 teachers have already applied for this scheme. The small scale retailers will also avail the profits through this scheme this year,” he concluded.

In order to get full exposure to changing technology teachers are now willing to buy laptops and are eager to be conversant with computers so that they can take full advantage of the scheme.
Last year the government had provided a restricted list to the teachers to choose dealers and brands. However, this year they have been granted the liberty to make their own choices in this regard.

This has been confirmed by Prashant Kuncolienkar, President, GIBA. According to him, “The IT dealers are definitely benefiting form this scheme because the teachers are free to choose their brands and models so it is time for the small time distributors to rejoice and sell their brands as well.”

Considering increased usage of IT products and services, the laptop scheme definitely boosts the spirits of current dealers and small scale retailers within Goa.

Lately, the IT sector in Goa is buzzing with activities with launches of models by top vendors such as HP, ACER and Zenith. “The IT sector in Goa is definitely going to build a dominant position in the market with the help of the laptop scheme. And also at the same time the brands have started to advertising their products which will be an added factor,” concluded Dhiren Mehta, Proprietor, Magnamious Systems.