Cycle fair organised for students from SC community in Sirsa

The Education Department organised a two-day cycle fair under the “Meri Pasand-Meri Cycle” scheme at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Complex on Barnala Road. The fair was organised for the students of Class VI from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, where they could select their preferred bicycles. On the first day, students from the Sirsa, Odhan and Nathusari Chopta blocks participated and chose their bicycles.

A total of 566 students, including 266 boys from the Sirsa block, and 88 students from the Odhan block, chose their cycles on the first day. From the Nathusari Chopta block, 12 boys and 21 girls participated.

Under this scheme, the government will deposit Rs 2,800 for a 20-inch bicycle and Rs 3,000 for a 22-inch bicycle into the students' accounts. However, parents expressed concerns that none of the bicycles available at the fair matched the government-approved prices. The cycles displayed by nearly 16 agencies ranged between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000, forcing parents to spend extra money from their pockets.

The parents urged the government to increase the budget for the bicycles, as the current budget has remained unchanged for the past three years, despite the rising cost of goods.

During the event, the students tested the bicycles by riding these around the venue. Several officials, including Block Education Officer (BEO) of Nathusai Chopta Vinod Kumar and Assistant District Basic Education Officer Harbans Singh, were present at the fair, besides other officials from the Education Department.

According to Harbans Singh, the scheme benefits SC students from Class VI who do not have a school in their village or ward and must travel over 2 km to reach their school.

The collected data of the students, who selected their bicycles, will be sent to the directorate, and once the budget is approved, the bicycles will be provided to the students.

Parents demand increased budget

• Under this scheme, the government will deposit Rs 2,800 for a 20-inch bicycle and Rs 3,000 for a 22-inch bicycle into the students' accounts.
• However, parents expressed concerns that none of the bicycles available at the fair matched the government-approved prices.
• The cycles displayed by nearly 16 agencies ranged between Rs 4,500 and Rs 10,000, forcing parents to spend extra money from their pockets.