Bengal government rebrands Sabuj Sathi as Sarathi scheme, 12.59 lakh students to get cycles under it: CM
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has rebranded the state's bicycle distribution scheme from 'Sabuj Sathi' to 'Sarathi'. The government plans to distribute 12.59 lakh cycles and has announced changes to scholarship policies and the revival of NCC programs in schools.
Why it matters
The rebranding and policy shifts signal a significant ideological pivot in West Bengal's education and social welfare administration.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday (September 29, 2026) said his government will distribute bicycles to 12.59 lakh students this academic year under the rebranded Sarathi scheme.
Addressing a cycle distribution programme at a school in Howrah, he alleged the previous TMC government used to procure "substandard" bicycles and hand over those to students under its Sabuj Sathi scheme.
The BJP government has rechristened the previous dispensation's Sabuj Sathi scheme as Sarathi.
"We will allot land to set up a facility that will manufacture high-quality cycles in Howrah. As many as 12.59 lakh students will get bicycles this academic year under the Sarathi scheme," the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister said ₹300 crore has been allocated as a composite grant for schools under the Sarathi scheme.
He accused the previous TMC government of providing student scholarships to a particular community as part of its "appeasement politics".
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