Will discuss with CM on restarting free bicycle distribution programme for students: Minister

Vartha Bharati | 07-12-2023 | 18:38:00 IST

PC: @Madhu_Bangarapp | X

Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa on Thursday told the Assembly that he will discuss with the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on restarting the free bicycle distribution programme for government school students, aimed at arresting the dropout rate.

He said there is demand from students and parents for bicycles from various places across the state.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by Chikkaballapura MLA Pradeep Eshwar during Question Hour, highlighting the problems faced by students, especially in rural areas, to reach schools in time and to control the dropout rate.

''Earlier, in the state, free bicycles were distributed in the year 2019-20. At present, bicycles are not distributed to students of government schools. However, free bus passes are being distributed to the students of rural areas to travel in government buses to facilitate regular school attendance,'' Bangarappa said.

He said that under the centrally-sponsored Comprehensive Education Karnataka Scheme, the students of government schools are being given a transport allowance of Rs 600 per student for six months to travel to schools ''beyond their reach''.

''I too agree -- regarding providing cycles for students of class 8 -- we will decide in the next budget, as this government came to power mid-season. There is demand from students and parents wherever I go. As the Finance Department comes under the Chief Minister, I will discuss with him and make a good decision, that is necessary,'' he added.

With the Leader of Opposition R Ashoka too demanding the restarting of bicycle distribution programme, by highlighting the suffering of rural students and stating that it was launched by the B S Yediyurappa-led BJP government to increase the enrolment of students to schools, Bangarappa noted that the programme was also stopped by BJP government, it should not have happened.

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No need for guv: DMK leader Kanimozhi

08-05-2026 ¦ 08-05-2026 IST

Senior DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi | PTI

Chennai (PTI): Senior DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Friday reiterated her party’s opposition to the office of the governor amid uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu after a fractured election mandate.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Kanimozhi emphasised that the DMK’s demand for the abolition of the governor’s post remained unchanged, especially as questions arise over constitutional propriety during the current political transition.

"Our position that we do not need a governor at all is something the DMK has never changed at any point in time," she said.

When asked about the governor’s actions following the election results—particularly the delay in inviting the leading party to form the government—Kanimozhi pointed to what she described as the "inherent friction" between the office of the governor and the political interests of the state.

She said the current situation "raises a lot of questions" and requires introspection regarding constitutional procedures.

Kanimozhi described the election results as lacking a "clear mandate", which she identified as the primary reason for the prevailing political uncertainty in the state.

"What the people decide is supreme," she said, adding that while the mandate was not decisive, it must be respected.

The Thoothukudi MP attributed the ongoing delays and "many confusions" to the absence of a decisive majority for any single party.

She firmly dismissed rumours about the DMK potentially supporting the AIADMK from outside to help stabilise the government.

She described such reports as mere "speculation" and "rumours".

"We can’t be responding to every rumour," she said, declining to comment on the AIADMK’s claims regarding its numbers to form the government.

The political situation in Tamil Nadu remains fluid as stakeholders await the governor’s next constitutional step in an Assembly where no party has secured a clear majority.

The DMK and AIADMK—both of which suffered significant losses to the TVK—are reportedly exploring tactical manoeuvres to navigate the hung Assembly.

The TVK, with 108 seats and the support of Congress’s five MLAs, is still short of the majority mark. The DMK and AIADMK secured 59 and 47 seats, respectively.