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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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy

13-12-2025 ¦ 13-12-2025 IST

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal (PTI)

Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.

Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.

Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.

An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.

The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.

A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.

Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."

"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.

"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.

A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.