Congress alleges corruption in free bicycle scheme

Raipur, Aug 1 (UNI) Opposition Congress today staged a walkout in the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha alleging irregularities and corruption in the state government scheme for distribution of bicycles free of cost to girl students belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Raising the issue during question hour, Dr Chetan Verma and Mr Mohammad Akbar (both Congress) sought to know from Tribal Welfare Minister Ganesh Ram Bhagat about the process adopted for distribution of free bicycles under the 'Saraswati Yojana'.

Mr Akbar asked whether bicycles were procured from a firm against which the High Court had made certain observations and directed to blacklist it.

Pointing out that the state government scheme was to provide bicycles free of cost to girl students belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, he, however, said Rs 1800 was handed over in cash to the beneficiaries in Durg district.

''When the budget provision is for supplying bicycles free of cost, how the beneficiaries were given cash to purchase bicycles?'', Mr Akbar said.

''There are state government schemes to provide cows and footwear free of cost to tribal families. Will the government give them cash, instead of cows and footwear?'' he asked.

While replying, Mr Bhagat said girl students of schools run by his department were given bicycles while in Durg district, the beneficiaries were given cash so that they could purchase bicycles.

Dissatisfied with the minister's reply, the opposition members staged a walkout.

UNI JJ SP RS1804