Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu clarifies debate over Dr. Banikanta Kakati award

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Putting to rest the debate among a section of students, Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu made it clear that "students discontinuing their regular courses for coaching or migrating to other states are not eligible for the Dr. Banikanta Kakati award."

A debate was doing rounds in the state on "as to why the Department of Higher Education opted not to provide the benefits (Scooty) under the Dr. Banikanta Kakati Merit Awards to a large number of students who had secured more than 60 percent (girls) and more than 75 percent (boys) in their HS final examinations."

In his social media handle, Dr. Pegu said, "Students who secure 75% or above (boys) and 60% or above (girls) in the class XII exam 2024 and continue their education in Assam, including courses such as MBBS, engineering, B.Sc. (nursing), LLB, and others, are eligible for Scooty. However, those who have discontinued regular courses for coaching or migrated to other states are not eligible."

In June this year, the Department of Higher Education published an office memorandum on the Dr. Banikanta Kakati Awards under the Pragyan Bharati Scheme for 2024. According to that office memorandum, the eligibility criteria for this award are that the students must pass HS final examinations 2024 conducted by the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) with 60 percent or above by girl students and 75 percent or above by boys. Students in the betterment and reappearance categories and the dropout category are not eligible for this award. The students have to be residents of Assam and must continue their study beyond 10+2 to receive this award. The office memorandum further made it clear that the guardians of the students are at liberty to choose to accept the award or reject it.

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