Kolkata, Sept. 29 -- The BJP government's decision to rename the Mamata Banerjee-era 'Sabooj Sathi' bicycle distribution scheme as 'Sarathi' has triggered a political row, with MAITC MLA Kunal Ghosh accusing the government of attempting to overlook the previous administration's work.
Reacting in a social media post, Ghosh questioned the renaming, saying Mamata Banerjee had introduced the scheme for students and that a large number had benefited from it, particularly those travelling long distances to school.
"Today suddenly 'Sarathi'?" he asked, referring to the new name and its publicity slogan, "new pace". Ghosh said the BJP should acknowledge the work done by Banerjee.
Ghosh also alleged that several schemes were being renamed to disenfranchise Banerjee's credit.
The renaming follows the BJP government's decision to change the name of 'Kanyashree' to 'Kanyaratna'. Ghosh had also earlier criticised the government's move to shift from Swasthya Sathi to Ayushman Bharat, arguing that the latter would leave some beneficiaries out. He pointed to the introduction of the West Bengal Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana for those not covered by Ayushman Bharat.
The newly named Sarathi scheme has been launched through a bicycle distribution programme in Howrah by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. In 2026-27, the state plans to provide bicycles to 12.59 lakh students at a cost of Rs 508 crore.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.