Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Free cycles for 10,177 more SC/ST girls

By Our Special Correspondent

Chennai Dec. 17. Amid complaints from higher secondary girls left out of the free cycle scheme, the Government has sanctioned Rs. 2.4 crores to provide the vehicle for another 10,177 students.

The Adi Dravidar welfare department yesterday issued an order to provide cycles to 6,000 eligible Plus-Two students and 4,177 Plus-One students by this month.

At the start of this academic year, 47, 980 cycles were distributed.

In all, Rs. 8.4 crores was allotted for the scheme this year.

Soon after the AIADMK returned to power last May, the Government announced the scheme to ensure that SC/ST students do not drop out for lack of transport facilities.

As many as 56, 525 cycles were distributed during the launch last year.

But, this year, the Government decided to restrict the distribution to Plus-One students, as those now in the Plus-Two class were covered last year.

But, when cycles for Plus-One SC/ST girls were distributed this academic year by the department, complaints poured in from several Plus-Two students, that they were left out last year.

Following the complaints, the budgetary allocation for the scheme has been increased from Rs. 6 crores to 8.4 crores, and the cycles will be bought at Rs. 1,383 (plus sales tax) each and distributed by December, just four months before the Plus-Two girls take their final examinations.

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