Free cycles not yet distributed

Udupi: The students of the undivided Dakshina Kannada district who dream of going to school on their own cycles may have to wait for another month to receive their free cycles.

Free cycles are being distributed to students pursuing 8^th std education in government and aided schools and last time, the students were already making use of this facility by now.

But this time, the cycles have not yet come from the government. The cycles are expected to come this month and the cycles will be distributed only after the work on their assembly is completed.

There are 106 government and 73 aided high schools in Udupi district while there are altogether 1,472 schools (government /aided) in Dakshina Kannada district. Every year around the month of March, the number of required bicycles is sent to the government by the Education Department from DK district. Accordingly, the bicycles reach the hands of the students by the end of the month.

Last year, 8,572 cycles were distributed in Udupi district of which 1,801 were distributed in Brahmavar, 1,527 in Byndoor, 1,713 in Karkala, 1,710 in Kundapur and 1,821 in Udupi. Meanwhile 13.715 cycles were distributed in DK district including 3,699 in Bantwal, 2,810 in Belthangady, 823 in Mangaluru north, 1,804 in Mangaluru South, 889 in Moodbidri, 2,682 in Puttur and 828 in Sullia. This time too, a similar amount of requirement has been forwarded to the government. In a response to this the Education Department has explained that the cycles will arrive soon and will be distributed with haste.

Misuse allegation

The weight of the cycle has been decided bearing in mind for the high school students. However, there is allegation that in most locations in the state, the cycles are being used more by the parents of the students for their personal work rather than the students themselves. This accusation existed earlier too, but it has not been handled yet. In order to put an end to the misuse, the guardians of the students will be sensitized, informed an official from the Education Department.

Distribution soon

There has been a slight delay in the distribution of the cycles. The cycles are expected to arrive this month. We will bear in mind to distribute the cycles post their assembly, at least by the beginning of August month – Sheshashayana Karinja, DDPI