After a huge uproar: both positive and negative regarding the too good to be true
offer by a company called Ringing Bells,Government of India has decided to intervene,
and clear some doubts.
In an
unprecedented move never seen before, Telecom Department has said that they have
investigated the handset called ‘Freedom 251’ which is being promised for Rs
251, and found that it should cost at least Rs 2300.
Telecom
Ministry was forced to intervene, after Indian Cellular
Association wrote to the ministry, seeking an ‘investigation’ into the whole
fiasco. They had expressed severe doubt and apprehension regarding the
promises, which can be broken and the consumers can be taken for a ride.
Telecom
Ministry also said that even if the company decided to import this
product from the cheapest company, it can’t be sold for less than Rs 2700.
Besides, if we add the taxes, import duty, retail costs, supply chain costs,
then the price has to be somewhere near Rs 4000.
Telecom
Ministry didn’t specify of any action would be taken against the company.
As per
the company, they have received around 30,000 orders as of now (who have paid
in cash), whereas Mohit Kumar Goel founder of the company said that a total 7.35 crore registrations
(who have not paid) have been received and they are confident that they would
be able to deliver the world’s cheapest smartphone for Rs 251.
Income
Tax Raid Ringing Bells
Meanwhile,
as per reports emerging, Income Tax department raided Ringing Bells’
Noida office. Ringing Bells is the company which is promoting and selling
Freedom 251, touted as the cheapest smartphone in the world.
As per
official reports, this raid
has nothing to do with the price or promises made; but due to the fact that
Ringing Bells is not associated or listed with Bureau Of Indian Standards;
and in the absence of this, no company can sell their products inside India
Details
haven’t yet arrived regarding the findings of this IT raid.
BJP MP
Kirit Somaiya has written to UP Government, Finance Ministry, IT Dept. and
other Govt. officials for conducting an investigation into the claims made by
Ringing Bells.
On the
day of launch, Pranav Dixit, Tech Editor at HT had conducted a Reddit India
AMA, wherein he shared that in future, Ringing Bells may cut
out a deal with various app makers, to include their apps for some
compensation.
A lot of
questions still exists; and very few answers are available.
We will
keep you updated as more details come in.
