Naveen rolls out free bicycle scheme

Eyeing the upcoming panchayat polls in the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has rolled out yet another scheme- the free bicycle scheme for tenth standard girl students in government and government aided schools.

The boys belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe in all 118 scheduled area blocks will also be benefited from the scheme.

“The scheme will help check the dropout rate among the girlsespecially SC and ST girls and also improve the literacy rate among them,” the chief minister said after launching the scheme at

Paralakhemundi, the district head quarter town of Gajapati district.

“The transportation problem of the girl students would be solved after they get free bicycles under the scheme,” said Aparajita Sarangi, secretary (school & mass education).

 

Around 300,000 students of tenth standard will be benefited under the scheme, with each beneficiary entitled to an amount of Rs 2,600 in the form of account payee cheque.