No word from govt on restrictions: Aakash tablet maker

Datawind, maker of Aakash, touted as world's cheapest computer tablet meant for Indian students, today said it has not received any communication from the HRD Ministry restricting the company from bidding for new orders.

"Datawind would like to state that we have not been informed officially or unofficially by the Ministry of HRD of anything restricting us to participate in the next tender," Datawind said in a statement here.

Earlier, Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal had said that government has brought in C-DAC and ITI for production of a fully indigenous version of the Aakash tablet.

The tablet was sold to the government for Rs 2,276 when it was launched with much fanfare on October 5. However, there was some quality issues with the product.

"There have been some problem with Datawind, I must confess. Therefore, I have got into the act. IT Ministry has got C-DAC and ITI into the act and I am going to ensure that this product is fully indigenous and truly an Indian product," Sibal had said.

The minister was responding to a question whether Datawind will be a part of new Aakash project or not.