The state government is all set to distribute 15 lakh bicycles among class IX students of state-run, aided and sponsored schools soon.
Three firms, Hero, Avon and Hercules will supply the bicycles. The state Finance department has given its go-ahead to the scheme. The first batch of cycles spares is expected to arrive in the state early next month.
The distribution will start after getting clearance from the Chief Minister who named the project Sabuj Sathi. She also designed the logo. West Bengal was the first state in the country that distributed 25 lakh bicycles to students.
It may be mentioned that state Finance Minister Amit Mitra in his budget speech in 2015 had announced that the state government would distribute bicycles among students of Classes IX to XII of state-run, aided and sponsored schools. The estimated cost was Rs 800 crore.
The project was a grand success. The state government distributed 25 lakh bicycles among the students of Classes X, XI and XII and had to postpone distribution after the code of conduct for the Assembly election came into force. Bicycle parts were despatched to the state in 3,000 trucks by manufacturers, and over 4,500 fitters were engaged in assembling them.
After the new government was formed, the backward Classes Welfare Department (BCW) floated e-tenders inviting firms to supply the bi cycles, of which three firms were selected.
It may be mentioned that the BCW database has names of all beneficiaries along with the names of their fathers, the schools where they are studying, make of the cycles received along with the date. Every cycle bears a unique identification number and a logo designed by the Chief Minister herself.
It was reported that many students had removed the logo affixed on the basket fitted in front of the handle. Now, the logo has been engraved on the body of the bicycle so that it cannot be removed without damaging it. The BCW department is also planning to introduce a scheme to maintain
the bicycles.