Shoe Bhagya: For state government, size does matter

Bengaluru: ‘Size’ seems to be coming in the way of bulk purchase of black coloured semi-canvas shoes to be distributed among students studying in the state government schools from the next academic year, as part of the 'shoe bhagya' announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2014-15 budget.

To address this problem, the Department of Education is toying with the idea of releasing money directly to School Development Committees (SDC) and asking them to summon local dealers to schools to supply the shoes depending upon the size of each student. “We don't want to hear the complaints of kickbacks from the opposition parties or pressure from companies to buy their products. The option of releasing money directly to SDCs is being considered seriously,” Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Ratnakar told Deccan Chronicle.

He said they have three options before them; to procure in bulk and supply to all schools. Secondly, to give money to parents to buy the shoes for their wards and thirdly to release money to SDCs so that they could contact local dealers to supply the shoes to all kids in their respective schools. Now, they are planning to drop the first idea to avoid the complaints of commission. The second idea is likely to be dropped as parents should not misuse the money. In all probability, the third option may be considered.

Mr Kimmane said a meeting has been conveyed on December 23 to take a final call on the issue. Later, all these factors would be placed before the CM, who would guide what was the best option. There was no dearth of funds as Rs 120 crore has been allotted for this ambitious project. The government has plans to give a pair of semi canvas black shoes and two pairs of socks to each student.

However, the SDCs were free to supply good quality leather shoes if they could find philanthropists in their villages. The pure leather shoes cost around Rs 600 per pair and this may cost an additional Rs 30 crore to the state exchequer.

The problem, according to the minister, has been varying sizes of each student depending upon the region. Now, students have robust growth and the shoe supplied by them may not fit. Buying in bulk quantity of the same size would defeat the purpose. There was a suggestion to supply slippers to children, but it was not being considered as it won’t give them full protection.