‘Free bicycles for school students entail extra expenditure’

Plus One students from economically backward family background who receive free bicycles incur extra expenditure on additional bearings and wheel alignment for usability. School heads say stipulations like BIS certification for procurement of parts for making of the bicycle would make the tender-holders accountable.

COIMBATORE If Plus One students in government schools are receiving free bicycles under the government’s freebie scheme implemented through the School Education Department with a pinch of salt, the reason is not far to seek.

The bicycles are not fit for use right away due to inadequacy of bearings and deficiency in wheel alignment. The students from economically poor families who are entitled to this scheme find themselves forced to depend on their parents money to get their free bicycles rehauled at private workshops before they start using them, according to a headmaster of a government school.

“The bicycles have to be rehauled with at least five to six additional bearings. More importantly, the bicycles are distributed sans rim tape, in the absence of which the tubes and tyres get worn out rapidly,” Rajavel, a bicycle mechanic in Coimbatore city said.

The free bicycle scheme was first launched during 2001-02 by late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to encourage female students to pursue education. Subsequently, a number of other State governments followed suit.

“The shortcomings would not have arisen in the first place if the government had made BIS certification mandatory for the materials used to assemble the bicycle. For instance, in Karnataka and a few other States, companies winning the bid are required to hold service camps within three-months.

No doubt, the free bicycles have been the reason for better enrolment of students, particularly female students, for Plus Two in government schools.