Aakash', the world's cheapest tablet, will be fully indigenous soon and its improved version will be launched by the government at the same price.
Telecom and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said Datawind - the manufacturer of the product - will not be associated with it anymore and the Government has roped in C-DAC and ITI in further development of the tablet computer.
Communications Minister Kapil Sibal on Monday said an upgraded version of the tablet PC "Aakash", supplied primarily to students at less than Rs.2,450 ($49) a piece, would not be hiked.
The minister, who also holds the education portfolio, said two state-owned technology companies had been roped in to manufacture the upgraded version. He admitted there were problems with Datawind, the original developer of the tablet.
"There have been some problem with Datawind I must confess. Therefore, I have got into the act. IT Ministry has got C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) and ITI (Indian Telephone Industries) into the act and I am going to ensure that this product is fully indigenous and truly an Indian product.
Datawind has come under criticism for missing delivery deadlines and its failure to provide a proper customer service platform.
The government was also unhappy after various faults were detected in the tablet and officials had indicated that the government may not extend the contract for manufacture of more tablets to Datawind.
Telecom and HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said Datawind - the manufacturer of the product - will not be associated with it anymore and the Government has roped in C-DAC and ITI in further development of the tablet computer.
Communications Minister Kapil Sibal on Monday said an upgraded version of the tablet PC "Aakash", supplied primarily to students at less than Rs.2,450 ($49) a piece, would not be hiked.
The minister, who also holds the education portfolio, said two state-owned technology companies had been roped in to manufacture the upgraded version. He admitted there were problems with Datawind, the original developer of the tablet.
"There have been some problem with Datawind I must confess. Therefore, I have got into the act. IT Ministry has got C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) and ITI (Indian Telephone Industries) into the act and I am going to ensure that this product is fully indigenous and truly an Indian product.
Datawind has come under criticism for missing delivery deadlines and its failure to provide a proper customer service platform.
The government was also unhappy after various faults were detected in the tablet and officials had indicated that the government may not extend the contract for manufacture of more tablets to Datawind.
