1.4L girls to get bicycles as Badal govt scheme recycled
Supply of bicycles expected by January-end, says official
SANGRUR:AS Lok Sabha elections are around the corner, the Congress government is set to recycle the Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme, the brainchild of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The Capt Amarinder Singh government has decided to distribute 1.40 lakh bicycles among the government school girl students of class 11 and 12.
The last time bicycles were given to the girl students under the scheme was during the SADBJP government In 2016.
Director, department of social security and development of women & children, Kavita Singh, said, “We have procured the list of girl students from all government schools. The funds have been arranged and even the orders have been placed to different cycle manufacturing firms. The supply of these bicycles is expected by the end of January.”
Sources said the government is spending ₹2,571 on each bicycle. The distribution ceremony may begin in January-end or in February.
Sangrur deputy commis- sioner Ghanshyam Thori said around 8,600 bicycles will be distributed in Sangrur district. Sources said around 2,850 bicycles will be gifted in Barnala district.
“The orders worth ₹2.22 crore have been placed. After getting the delivery, the bicycles will be distributed as per the government policy,” said Thori.
Teachers of government schools say the government should have continued the scheme.
“The bicycles should have been distributed without gap. It is being revived after two years smells of vote politics,” said Balbir Chand Longowal, district president of democratic teacher’s front (DTF).
Congress MLA from Dhuri Dalvir Singh Goldy said the bicycles will help check the school dropout rate among girls. “The Congress government is committed to continue the welfare schemes for students,” he said.