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The Kali Bai Bheel Scooty Scheme, launched in 2020 by the Rajasthan government, aimed to provide scooters to meritorious girls from underprivileged backgrounds to facilitate their continued higher education. This commendable initiative, however, has tragically fallen victim to bureaucratic delays and political maneuvering, leaving over 1,500 brand new scooters rusting away in two colleges in Banswara, Rajasthan. This situation underscores the detrimental impact of administrative bottlenecks and the misuse of public funds.
The scooters, costing ₹80,000 each, were meant for girls meeting specific criteria: an annual family income below ₹2.5 lakh and a minimum score of 65% in state board exams or 75% in CBSE exams for classes 10th or 12th. While these scooters were procured with the intent of empowering deserving students, they are now gathering dust in the courtyards of Vidyamandir College and Hardev Joshi Government Girls College. The intended beneficiaries, the bright young women who were meant to benefit from this initiative, are left waiting and frustrated.
The delay in distribution is attributed to the change in government after the BJP replaced the Congress in 2023. Despite the change in administration, the scheme's implementation was not given priority. The officials have cited the model code of conduct during elections and a stalled process of generating QR codes for each student as reasons for the inaction. The prolonged delay, however, has not only resulted in the loss of valuable time for the students but also raises serious questions about the government's commitment to the welfare of its citizens, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
The Opposition has rightly criticized the government for this negligence, with Banswara MP Raj Kumar Roat of the Bharat Adivasi Party calling it 'criminal neglect.' The government's failure to monitor the situation and ensure timely distribution of the scooters is a stark reminder of the disconnect between public policy and its execution. While the Rajasthan minister for tribal welfare, Babu Lal Kharadi, has promised distribution within a week, the lack of explanation for the delay raises concerns about accountability and transparency. This incident serves as a sobering reminder that good intentions are not enough – effective implementation and transparency are crucial for government schemes to achieve their intended outcomes.
Source: 1,500 scooters, meant for girl students, turning to scrap in Rajasthan