5x higher tablet prices raise eyebrows

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) plans to purchase 150 tablet computers at Tk 59,300 each for a new project.

This is more than five times the price paid per device bought during the Population and Housing Census two years ago, which was Tk 11,336.14.

The national statistics agency has proposed purchasing tablets at this unusually high price for the Bangladesh Poverty and Livelihood Statistics (BPLS) project, which aims to carry out a household income and expenditure survey (HIES) and create a poverty map.

The Statistics and Informatics Division (SID) of the planning ministry recently submitted the development project proposal (DPP) for the new initiative to the Planning Commission, outlining an estimated cost of Tk 314.54 million and a completion deadline extending to March 2028.

Earlier, the SID had submitted the proposal with an estimated cost of Tk 493.99 million, but the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) under the Socio-Economic Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission recommended revising and downsizing the budget.

Although the project's overall estimated cost reduced by Tk 179.46 million, or 36.33 per cent, following the Planning Commission's recommendations, the revised proposal still includes unusually high estimates for non-survey components, such as tablet purchases, travels, and honorariums.

The proposal asked for Tk 72.35 million, or 23 per cent of the total cost, for survey activities, and the remaining 77 per cent is designated for other expenses, reveals the DPP.

The proposal has allocated Tk 82.63 million for irregular workers, while Tk 66.5 million has been earmarked for the salaries of enumerators and data entry operators, and Tk 16.13 million for the wages of female helpers.

The SID has requested Tk 8.24 million for honorariums, Tk 10.4 million for seminars and conferences, Tk 16.66 million for outsourcing, Tk 11.24 million for training, and Tk 15.60 million for consultancies.

BBS officials stated that the bureau purchased over 400,000 tablets to conduct the Population and Housing Census 2022, with each device costing Tk 11,336.14.

The supplier, Walton, also provided mobile device management (MDM) software valued at Tk 1,270 per device to ensure technical security.

Additionally, each device was supplied with a cover, and 72 air conditioners were provided for physical security.

The BBS has conducted several censuses and surveys using these tablets since the population census, and a large number of devices are currently stored at its office.

Experts and parties concerned have raised questions, seeking justification for the procurement of new devices at such high costs.

The officials concerned could not specify the type of devices to be purchased for the new project.

However, one official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that while the previous tablets were used for only seven days during the census project, they will be utilised for over a year in the new one.

Additionally, due to the longer length of the questionnaire in the new survey, devices with higher specifications will be necessary.

"There is no scope for procuring tablets at such high prices," said Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, director general of the BBS, suggesting that this reporter may have misunderstood certain aspects of the project proposal.

He added that the BBS prepared the proposal based on a proper assessment of market prices and the Planning Commission would review and address any irregularities, should they arise.

"I am trying to assess the share of the allocation for the core project activities in relation to the total cost, and other associated expenses may be revised downwards," said Aleya Akter, secretary of the SID.

She acknowledged that the proposed cost for tablets appears high. "I will make further comments after a more detailed review of the proposal."

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