The ruling AIADMK's populist free bicycle scheme was today formally rolled out by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam here for the academic year 2016-17 to students of class eleven, costing Rs 243.96 crore to the exchequer.
Late AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa had introduced the scheme during the 2001-02 academic year, benefitting students of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It was later expanded to students of those schools receiving financial assistance from the government.
At a function at the Secretariat today, Panneerselvam handed over the bicycles to seven students as part of kick-starting the scheme, an official release said.
Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister V M Rajalakshmi, Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Minister S Valarmathi and senior government officials were present, it said.
Earlier, Panneerselvam chaired a cabinet meeting at the Secretariat, sources said.
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