CM's pic features on laptops given to college students

Over a lakh college students will remember Chief Minister Siddaramaiah so long as they use the free laptop provided by the government. After all, every laptop has Siddaramaiah's photograph on it.

Leaving no stone unturned to gain political mileage ahead of the Assembly elections, the government has included Siddaramaiah's photograph along with the government's coat of arms and the words 'Free Laptop Scheme-2017' on every laptop as well as every laptop bag.

In fact, the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE), which has invited bids for procurement of 1.49 lakh laptops for the 2017-18 academic year, has stipulated that the company should incorporate the designs finalised by the government on the laptops and bags.

Similarly, the Food and Civil Supplies department has plans to include Siddaramaiah's photograph on every stove that it will give away under the Anila Bhagya scheme. Under this, the government aims to provide 10 lakh free gas connections - a gas cylinder, stove, lighter and two refills - to BPL families. The government will spend Rs 4,040 per family.

Last year, a plan to have Siddaramaiah's photograph on rice bags under the Anna Bhagya scheme was eventually scrapped.