Priyanka Poojary
West Bengal government launched Sabooj Sathi scheme for the students studying in Class 9th to 12th in the government schools and madrasahs in the state. Under this scheme bicycles are distributed to the students so that they can easily go to schools in their own vehicle without any financial difficulty. This scheme tends to support the students with poor economic background in the state. Bicycles under this scheme are environment friendly option of commuting thus helping to reduce the rate of pollution in the state. On December 9, 2021 the West Bengal state cabinet has approved the proposal of setting up bicycle manufacturing unit in the state under this scheme. Setting up bicycle factory in the state would reduce the import cost incurred by the state government and at the same time increase employment opportunities in the state.
Overview:
| Scheme: | Sabooj Sathi Scheme |
| Scheme Under: | West Bengal Government |
| Beneficiaries: | Students studying in Class 9th to 12th in government schools, government aided schools and madrasahs. |
| Benefit: | Free bicycles |
| Objective: | To increase the retention rates in schools thereby providing the students with eco-friendly option for commuting. |
| Official Website: | wbsaboojsathi.gov.in |
Scheme Objectives and Benefits:
- The main objective of the scheme is to increase the retention rates in schools.
- It tends to avoid dropout rates in secondary and higher education in government schools in the state.
- Under this scheme the state government provides bicycles to the students studying in Class 9th to 12th in government schools, government aided schools and madrasahs.
- With the help of this scheme, financial constraints for commuting will not affect the studies of students.
- This scheme intends to encourage the students to take up higher education.
- It will also help the girl students in the state with feasibility in commuting.
- Through this scheme the state government promotes an environment friendly option to commute in the state.
Key Points:
- Sabooj Sathi is a Bicycle Distribution scheme launched in the state by West Bengal government.
- Under this scheme the state government distributes bicycles to the students studying in Class 9th to 12th in government schools, government aided schools and madrasahs.
- These bicycles will help the students so that they can easily go to schools in their own vehicle without any financial difficulty.
- This scheme tends to support the students with poor economic background in the state.
- Through this scheme the state government intends to increase the retention rate of students in higher education.
- Bicycles under this scheme are environment friendly option of commuting.
- This scheme tends to ensure welfare of the students in the state.
- Official portal has been started by the state government for keeping a track of students, schools, bicycle consignment, orders, etc.
- The state government imports bicycles and distributes them to the students.
- Around one million bicycles are purchased every year by the state government with an outlay of Rs 340 crores for the same.
- Since 2015 about 91.88 lakh students have received bicycles under the scheme.
- More than one crore students are being covered in seven phases.
- On December 9, 2021 the West Bengal state cabinet headed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has approved the proposal of setting up bicycle manufacturing unit in the state under this scheme.
- Setting up bicycle factory in the state aims reduce the import cost incurred by the state government.
- It would also increase employment opportunities in the state.
- Organizations interested to set up their bicycle factories in the state have submitted their proposals and thereby production of bicycles will start accordingly.
