From Independence Day,1.2 lakh girl students to ride saffron cycles

In addition,these bicycles may also sport photograph of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Social Security Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla. “Where the photos will be put is still to be decided,” an officer said.Already,the photo of Badal Senior adorns government-sponsored ambulances.

“The state government has decided to purchase around 1.20 lakh cycles and by August 15 they will be given to girl students. The money will be given by the Social Welfare Department. The make of the cycles has yet not been decided. We will be shortly calling the tenders in this regard and purchase the cycles. We expect that each cycle will cost us around Rs 2,000-2,500. These will be ladies cycles,’’ Education Minister Sewa Singh Sekhwan told The Indian Express.

“The distribution of cycle is aimed at boosting women empowerment,literacy and development of women. By this step,the government will bring down the dropout rate among girls drastically. After plus two,only 6 per cent students go to college in Punjab,in which the number of women is low,” he said.

The state government has copied Andhra Pradesh,Bihar and Rajasthan models,as these state governments have given cycles to girl students. During its first term,the Nitish Kumar government in Bihar had given cycles to all school going girls at the elementary and secondary level. The scheme became a hit with the rural population,thus giving political advantage to his party JD(U),which won second consecutive term.

These free bicycles to all girl students studying in classes 11 and 12 in government schools is expected to cost the government around Rs 75 crore. In the wholesale market,a cycle is available between Rs 2,100 and Rs 2,200. However,in the retail market,it is available between Rs 2,700 and 2,900,depending on its make and brand.

Congress MLA Sukhpal Khaira said the decision by the government was to influence the voters. “Funds for this scheme are made available from Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan scheme of the UPA government. If allowed,it amounts to influencing the voters in favour of Akali Dal. I have written to the Election Commission about it,” he said.