Kolkata: The Sabooj Sathi scheme has been renamed ‘Sarathi’. A notice was issued with the standard operating procedure (SOP), saying that the fresh process will roll out soon.The notice outlined an SOP for students of Class 9 studying in govt, govt-aided schools and madrasas. The notice reads: “In Sarathi Phase XII, students’ profiles of eligible schools have been imported from ‘Banglar Shiksha Portal’.” Usually, students’ profiles are already filled in and uploaded for eligible schools for the current academic year. It stated that if any school finds its name is missing, it can notify the department following the existing procedure.The SOP was uploaded for the verification of the credentials available on the website and to check whether the students have received bicycles. School heads were asked to keep records of the bicycles, which are to be entered and preserved by the schools for verification and audit purposes.During the tenure of the previous govt, former chief minister Mamata Banerjee introduced the Sabujsathi scheme for school students to reduce dropouts and encourage them to continue their studies. Ahead of the assembly elections, the previous govt took the initiative to distribute bicycles under Phase XII of this scheme to reach out to at least 12 lakh students. As the Model Code of Conduct came into effect, the process was stalled midway. After the BJP govt came into office, the scheme was paused until it was renamed ‘Sarathi’.The previous bicycles were blue and white, but the new cycles will have a changed colour, likely with a saffron coating. Sources said that under Phase XII, the new bicycles are being prepared for launch soon.
