Tamil Nadu govt distributes free cycles to students branded with logo of Karnataka's scheme; sparks row
Nearly 6,600 bicycles were given to higher secondary students in Tindivanam education block in Tamil Nadu's Villupuram on Saturday by the state government.
Chennai: The AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu got embroiled in yet another controversy after the free bicycles distributed to students under the Tamil Nadu government scheme sported logos of the Karnataka government's schemes. The free bicycles were distributed among children in government schools in Tindivanam in Villupuram district in the state, however, a row erupted as Karnataka government's slogan was stuck on the front basket of the bicycles.
Parents of several students who were recipients of the free bicycles raised concerns over the quality of the cycles, claiming that the Tamil Nadu government had distributed substandard bicycles which were rejected by the neighboring state, the Times of India reported. As per the report, nearly 6,600 bicycles were given to higher secondary students in Tindivanam on Saturday. State Law Minister C Ve Shanmugam presided over the functions at three government schools in the block.
Speaking to TOI, education department officials said, "At the function held at Thazhuthali, around 1,524 bicycles were distributed to students of nine different schools including Thazhuthali, Padhirapuliyar, Aalagramman, Avvayarkuppam, Periyathatchur, Mailam, Rettanai, Nedumozhiyanur and Perani in the region. About three-fourths of the cycles distributed in the function had the logo of the Karnataka government's scheme, instead of the Tamil Nadu government logo."
However, government officials have dismissed allegations that they had procured substandard quality of bicycles from the neighbouring state. Instead, they have claimed that all spare parts for the free bicycle scheme were assembled locally and that the basked was probably "accidentally" dispatched by the vendor, The Hindu reported.
AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran targeted the state government for their alleged "callous attitude" towards the "noble scheme" that was initiated by late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. "Distribution of free bicycles to students of higher secondary schools was a noble scheme introduced by Amma to help students from poor families to pursue higher education. The present government has shown callous attitude even in implementing this noble scheme,” he said, as per TOI.
Meanwhile, the local administration has formed a committee to probe the matter.