Cycle Purchase Price Drop Sparks Corruption Questions

Former Assembly Speaker M. Appavu has questioned whether corruption is behind the recent reduction in cycle purchase prices by the government. Asking why the purchase price for student cycles dropped from earlier high figures to Rs 5,130 and Rs 5,260 at the Secretariat, he questioned if ordering the purchase at Rs 7,235 for boys and Rs 7,476 for girls earlier involved corruption.

Cycle Details

According to Polimer News, cycles are set to be provided to 5,32,388 students in government and aided schools. While the previous regime provided regular roadster model cycles with normal steel tubes, the new procurement features sporty modern cycles with wider, reinforced steel tubes. The cycles for boys will be in army green and for girls in pink mixed with purple, along with easy-to-use brakes, large tires, ventilated seats, a 750 ml water bottle, and an IS-certified helmet.

Context

The issue highlights political friction over public procurement costs and the distribution of welfare items to students. Questions about pricing transparency often emerge when official procurement rates change significantly over a short period.