1 hr ago
West Bengal Rebrands Sabuj Sathi, Promises Cycles for Students
West Bengal has renamed a student bicycle program from Sabuj Sathi to Sarathi.
The government says 12.59 lakh students will receive bicycles this school year.
It also plans to help create a bicycle-making facility in Howrah.
The government has set aside Rs 300 crore as a grant for schools.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the earlier bicycles were not good enough, though this was an allegation about the previous government.
He also said scholarships would be available to students from every community.
Higher secondary students will not receive the earlier Rs 10,000 smartphone or tablet support.
Instead, the government says it will provide a larger amount for learning materials.
It also plans to bring back NCC units to improve fitness and promote national safety.
The BJP government has renamed the previous Sabuj Sathi bicycle scheme as Sarathi.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 12.59 lakh students will receive bicycles during the current academic year.
The government plans to allot land in Howrah for a facility producing higher-quality bicycles.
The Sarathi scheme includes a Rs 300 crore composite grant for schools.
The government also announced broader scholarships, increased learning-material support, and plans to revive NCC units in schools.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, announced the changes.
- What
- The Sabuj Sathi bicycle scheme has been renamed Sarathi, with bicycles, school grants, scholarships, learning-material support, and revived NCC units planned.
- Where
- The announcement took place at a school in Howrah, West Bengal.
- When
- The announcement was made on Tuesday, with bicycle distribution planned for the current academic year.
- Why
- The government says the scheme will support students, provide higher-quality bicycles, expand education assistance, and strengthen student fitness and national safety.
Current BJP Government
Previous TMC Government
Bicycle quality
Current BJP Government
The current government says the earlier administration supplied substandard bicycles and promises higher-quality cycles under Sarathi.
Previous TMC Government
The previous TMC government is described through the current government's allegation; the articles do not include a response from the TMC.
Scholarship distribution
Current BJP Government
The current government says scholarships should be available to students from every community rather than being directed toward one particular community.
Previous TMC Government
The previous TMC government is accused of favoring a particular community, but its response is not reported.
Student assistance
Current BJP Government
The current government says it will not provide Rs 10,000 for smartphones and tablets, instead offering a higher amount for learning materials.
Previous TMC Government
The previous government had provided Rs 10,000 to higher secondary students for smartphones and mobile tablets, according to the report.
Key facts
- Renamed scheme
- Sabuj Sathi has been rebranded as Sarathi.
- Bicycle beneficiaries
- 12.59 lakh students are expected to receive bicycles this academic year.
- School grant
- Rs 300 crore has been allocated as a composite grant for schools.
- Manufacturing facility
- Land will be allotted in Howrah for a facility intended to manufacture high-quality cycles.
- Scholarships
- The government said students from all communities, including Sanatani Hindus and students of other faiths, will receive scholarships.
- Smartphone and tablet support
- The government said it will replace the earlier Rs 10,000 support with a higher amount for learning materials.
- NCC units
- NCC programmes are planned to be revived in educational institutions.
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
West Bengal Chief Minister who announced the Sarathi scheme measures
“We must be fired by nationalism and be inspired by the ideals of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, who was instrumental in the carving out of present West Bengal. Today youths must remember his contribution and sacrifice in saving the homeland of Sanatani Hindus.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
“We will allot land to set up a facility that will manufacture high-quality cycles in Howrah. As many as 12.59 lakh students will get bicycles this academic year under the Sarathi scheme.”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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