Bhopal, Mar 3:
The bicycle `scam' rocked state assembly here on Monday with the Opposition led by Leader of Opposition, Jamuna Devi and the former state minister Sajjan Singh Verma staging a walk-out over the issue. Soon after the questionnaire session commenced in the state assembly, MLA Indrajeet Kumar drew attention of the state energy minister Dr Gaurishankar Shejwar, who recently was vested with the charge of education ministry, towards distribution of substandard bicycles among the girl students all-over the state.
Presenting details of the distribution of sub-standard and cheap quality bicycles among girls studying in standards XIth and IXth respectively in the government schools all-over the state, the MLA alleged that bicycles distributed among girl students in various parts of the states were found to be of very poor quality and complaints about the cheap accessories attached with these bicycles were received from many regions in the state.
The MLA asked the minister to explain as how many of these bicycles were distributed among the beneficiaries and whether these bicycles subscribed to the parameters laid down by the state government, if not, what actions the state government took to take disciplinary action against the suppliers.
In the debate, MLA Indrajeet Kumar was also joined by the leader of Opposition, Jamuna Devi and the former state minister, Sajjan Singh Verma.
Alleging `misappropriation' of money in the distribution of bicycles among the girl students, Jamuna described it a big `scam' and an injustice with the girls. Questioning intention of the government in the whole issue, she said when the country had reputed bicycle companies like the Hero and the Atlas, why did the government import bicycle accessories from China?
Replying to the queries and allegations of the Opposition members, Dr Shejwar also confirmed the charges saying that the government too had received complaints in this regard and on the basis of complaints received from some MLAs , a committee was constituted to look into the matter. The minister said the committee in its findings came across irregularities and found that poor quality accessories had been attached with large number of bicycles distributed among the girl students.
Dr Shejwar said that on the basis of the committee's findings, he had given necessary instructions to the authority concerned asking them not to distribute any bicycle without its proper verifications and stop payment to the parties, who supplied poor quality accessories for the bicycles.
Not satisfied with his answers, a number of Congress MLAs led by Jamuna Devi and Sajjan Singh Verma staged a walk-out from the assembly..
Apparently in the know of complaints received by the state government in this regard, Chief Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan while addressing a `kisan sammelan' in Morena on Monday, had announced payment of a cash of Rs 2000 to each of the girl beneficiary of the scheme in the district, so as to enable them to purchase a bicycle of their choice.
Krishna K Jha
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