Free Bicycle Scheme draws flak

BHUBANESWAR: The launching of the scheme to free bicycles to girl students and ST and SC boys of class X in government and aided schools in 118 tribal dominated blocks in the State by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has come in for sharp criticism from the Opposition parties.  Both the Congress and BJP alleged that it is yet another populist scheme launched by the Chief Minister keeping an eye on the panchayat election in February next year. Nearly three lakh students would get Rs 2,600 each by account payee cheque for buying cycles, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced while launching the scheme in Gajapati district. Each beneficiary has to physically show the cycle and submit a bill to the headmaster by January next year.The State Government has earmarked  Rs 74.4 crore for the scheme this year.  The Opposition parties alleged that by announcing schemes after schemes, the Chief Minister is putting strain on the state exchequer for reaping political benefits. Before 2009 general elections, Naveen announced the much-hyped Rs 2 a kg rice scheme for the poor. And he earned rich dividends in the polls.  Naveen has already announced several sops for keeping an eye on the rural voters in view of the panchayat polls. Besides announcing schemes for the flood affected districts, Naveen announced Rs 1,000 crore Bjiu Setu Yojana (BSY).  Barely in a gap of a week, the Chief Minister launched Rs 350 crore Mamata scheme for the rural pregnant and lactating women. However, the Rs 1000 crore under BSY would be spending over a period of three years.  Official sources said both Mamata and BSY would require Rs 683 crore per annum. These two schemes are totally state sponsored besides other state’s own funded schemes like Bjiu KBK Yojana, Biju Kandhanal Yojana, Biju Gajapati Yojana, Biju Gramin Jyoti Yoajana, Mo Kudia, Madhubabu Pension Scheme and Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana.