Centre lauds innovative use of IT in Sabuj Sathi online

Kolkata: The Centre has awarded the West Bengal SC ST Development Corporation under Backward Classes Welfare department, for innovative use of IT in Sabuj Sathi online.

The prize was handed over to S K Thade, principal secretary, Backward Classes Welfare (BCW) department, by the department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances at a function in New Delhi. The prize includes a citation and a trophy. Parthapratim Manna, managing director, WB SC ST Development Corporation, was also present at the event.

This is for the first time when Sabuj Sathi, the pet project of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has received national recognition.

BCW department has a database having the names of all the 70 lakh students who have received bicycles under the scheme, along with the names of their parents or guardians, the classes they are studying in, names of their schools, the date of delivery of the cycles and even their make.

The Sabuj Sathi project has far reaching social impact. A preliminary report submitted by an agency engaged to find out its social impact, said that it has successfully brought down the number of school drop-outs and reduced the number of early marriages. It has helped to build the confidence of students, especially the girls.

The cycles have a logo of Sabuj Sathi, which was sketched by Mamata Banerjee herself, reflectors and a unique identification number, which cannot be erased.

The department will maintain the cycles free of cost for one year. Over 3,000 SC and ST unemployed youths have been trained to repair the cycles.