Brief

West Bengal to give free bicycles to 12.59 lakh Class VIII students

The state will distribute bicycles to 12.59 lakh new Class VIII entrants, renaming the scheme and allocating Rs 300 crore, officials said.

By Felo News Desk · Published Tue, 29 Sep 2026 22:00:28 GMT

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on 29 September 2026 that the state will provide free bicycles to 12.59 lakh students entering Class VIII in the coming academic year, under the renamed ‘Sarathi’ scheme, according to newindianexpress.com.

The programme, originally launched as ‘Sabuj Sathi’ by the Trinamool Congress government in 2015, has been rebranded by the BJP‑led administration. Adhikari said the scheme will receive a composite grant of Rs 300 crore and that land will be offered free of cost to industrial units or manufacturers setting up production facilities in Howrah.

During a ceremony in Howrah, the chief minister distributed bicycles to students and alleged that the previous government had procured sub‑standard cycles, importing parts from Jalandhar and awarding contracts to relatives of the former chief minister.

Adhikari also announced that the state would stop providing a Rs 10,000 stipend for smartphones to higher‑secondary students, redirecting funds toward learning materials, and pledged to revive NCC units in schools after consulting Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Key facts

12.59 lakh students entering Class VIII will receive free bicycles under the Sarathi scheme. (newindianexpress.com)
The scheme is allocated Rs 300 crore as a composite grant for schools. (newindianexpress.com)
Land will be provided free of cost to manufacturers setting up bicycle production in Howrah. (newindianexpress.com)
The previous ‘Sabuj Sathi’ scheme was launched in 2015 by the Trinamool Congress government. (newindianexpress.com)
The state will no longer give Rs 10,000 for smartphones to higher‑secondary students, shifting funds to learning materials. (newindianexpress.com)