Over 1.75 lakh girl students in K'taka to pedal to schools

Mysore, Aug 2 (UNI) With the objective of improving the attendance of girl students in schools, the Karnataka Government will distribute bicycles free of cost to over 1.75 lakh eighth standard girl students hailing from below poverty line families on August 15.

Sources in the Department of Public Instructions told UNI that a sum of Rs 35.64 crore had been earmarked for the scheme, which would benefit 1,75,558 girl students of 1,16,875 Government and 58,683 aided schools. As the scheme was being implemented as part of the State's 'Suvarna Karnataka' celebrations, the cycles would bear the name 'Suvarna Karnataka'.

Orders have been placed with bicycle manufacturing companies like Chennai-based TI Cycles of India, Atlas Cycle Company, Avon Cycles Ltd and Hero Cycle Company. Atlas Cycle Company officials were in the city and assembling work would commence from tomorrow based on the specifications issued by the Government, the sources said.

The purchase and quality Committee, headed by the Commissioner of Public Instructions, had the Director of Primary Education as its Member-Secretary. State Planning Director of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Additional Commissioner, Secondary Education Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Commissioner and the Director of Industries and Commerce department were the Committee's Directors.

Karnataka would be the fourth State to implement the programme, after Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Chattisgarh.

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