CM cycles for vocational students

SUBHASISH CHAUDHURI, TT,Krishnagar, Dec. 6:  The state government has decided to distribute bicycles among 1.5 lakh students who have taken up vocational courses after completing Class X.

The distribution of cycles, under the Sabuj Sathi scheme, is expected to begin in January and cost the government around Rs 40 crore.

State technical education minister Ujjwal Biswas said: "At present, we are identifying the students doing two-year vocational courses after completing Class X. I am hopeful that this would attract more students to vocational courses."

Opposition leaders described the decision as one of Mamata Banerjee's many populist moves ahead of the Assembly polls next year.

"We are not surprised at the government's decision. Mamata Banerjee now needs all these publicity because the Assembly polls are just months away," said Sumit Dey, the district CPM secretary of Nadia.

Sources said the decision followed demands by students doing the two-year vocational courses. Mamata had on November 23 distributed cycles among school students in Nadia's Tehatta.

After passing Class X, a student can take up a two-year vocational course in agriculture, automobile mechanics, welding, maintenance and repair of electrical domestic appliances. The courses are conducted by the West Bengal State Council of

Vocational Education and Training.

A senior official in Nadia said there were queries from Trinamul leaders on whether the government planned to include students of open schooling under the Sabuj Sathi scheme.