6.44 lakh students to get free bicycles in TN this year

, Jun 27: A total of 6.44 lakh class XI students of government and aided schools in

will get free bicycles this year under a state government scheme at an outlay of Rs 230.72 crore.

Marking the inauguration of distribution of the cycles for the current academic year, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today gave away cycles to seven class XI students at the Secretariat here. "During the current academic year, 2,86,400 boys and 3,57,600 girls will be getting the cycles," an official release said.

The free bicycle scheme was launched during 2001-02 by Jayalalithaa for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe girl students in class 11 and 12 with a view to encouraging girls' education. During 2005-06, the scheme was expanded, covering students belonging to all sections and is being implemented in all government and State-aided schools.

PTI