Bengal renames Mamata-era cycle scheme as Sarathi

West Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced the renaming of the state's bicycle distribution scheme, launched by the previous TMC government as Sabuj Sathi, to Sarathi. Addressing a cycle distribution programme at a school in Howrah, Adhikari said 12.59 lakh students would receive bicycles under the new name during the current academic year.

Adhikari alleged the previous government had procured 'substandard' bicycles under the old scheme. He also said the state had allocated Rs 300 crore as a composite grant for schools under Sarathi, and that land would be allotted to set up a facility in Howrah to manufacture high-quality cycles.

Adhikari accused the previous TMC government of providing scholarships to students from a particular community as part of 'appeasement politics', promising that every community would now get scholarships. He also said the government would not give Rs 10,000 to higher secondary students for smartphones as before, but would provide a higher amount for learning materials. He added that he had spoken to defence minister Rajnath Singh about reviving NCC units in schools.