“Make in India” and “Digital India”’ has nothing to do with Freedom 251 smartphone

Ringing bells said  Freedom 251 was launched under “Make in India” and “Digital India” initiatives  a top government official clarified on Thursday that the government has nothing to do with “Freedom 251” smartphone.

Department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) Secretary Amitabh Kant cleared via a tweet from his official Twitter account saying that the Freedom 251 is not a part for ‘Make in India’ or ‘Digital India’ initiative. “This is not a government project. ‘Make in India’ team has nothing to do with this,” wrote Kant in the tweet. The government is already keeping a close watch on “Freedom 251”. Ringing Bells has promised to deliver 25 lakh handsets by June 30 and Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had said that the company would face action if it fails to deliver the promised smartphone.

Earlier today, Ringing Bells was accused of fraud and non-payment of dues and abrupt termination of contract by call center service provider Cyfuture. The company has even answered some questions raised by the media and customers about the phone.

Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said his department is keeping a close watch on Ringing Bells. The minister said the Department of Telecommunications has inquired whether the company can provide phones at such a low price, which works out to less than US$ 4.

“This was done to ensure that there are no discrepancies later. If there are any, we will take action as per the law. Our department is keeping a watch,” Mr Prasad said in New Delhi.

Earlier, informed sources told IANS that the telecom ministry has done an internal assessment on viability of the handset ‘Freedom 251’ and found such a device cannot be offered for not less than Rs. 2,300-2,400.

Ringing Bells has promised to deliver 25 lakh handsets by June 30

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