CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday launched the free bicycle distribution scheme for standard XI and standard XII students for the year 2006-2007.

Shortly after handing over the keys to 105 students of four higher secondary schools in Chennai, Mr. Karunanidhi told reporters at the Secretariat that a total of 4,84,057 students, including 2,59,056 girls, would benefit under the scheme being implemented in the current year at a cost of Rs.102.82 crore.

Free bicycles will be distributed to 2,12,261 Backward Class students, including 1,17,199 girls, at an estimated cost of Rs.45.21 crore, Mr. Karunanidhi said. The Government would provide bicycles to 1,34,758 students of the Most Backward Classes and Denotified communities at a cost of Rs.28.57 crore.

A total of 1,24,424 students including 65,609 girls, belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes would be given bicycles. A sum of Rs.26.37 crore had been earmarked for providing bicycles to them, he said. A total of 12,614 students, including 7,496 girls, who fall under the category of `other communities', would receive free bicycles. The Government had allocated Rs.2.67 crore for this purpose, he added.

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