Himanta Biswa Sarma, chief minister of Assam has conducted a ceremonial distribution of scooters under the Pragyan Bharati scheme to girls and boys who achieved 60% and75% scores, respectively, in the higher secondary examinations. The event took place at the Veterinary College field in Khanapara, Guwahati on Thursday, according to an official statement.
This initiative, established in memory of the renowned litterateur and linguist Banikanta Kakati, marked its sixth year, with 35,770 students being recipients of scooters under the scheme in 2023. CM Sarma, addressing the gathering, emphasised the government’s commitment to empower youth through education. He reiterated that providing seamless facilities to students is a key part of this commitment, exemplified by the distribution of scooters to meritorious students who achieved 60% and 75% in the Higher Secondary examinations of 2023, the statement mentioned.
“I sincerely hope the scooty presented in recognition of the good academic performance of the students will motivate them to do better in the future as well,” CM, said.
Encouraging students to focus on their goals regardless of obstacles, CM Sarma reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the student community. He announced additional student-friendly measures, including an expansion of the Pragyan Bharati scheme to encompass free scooters, textbooks and subsidised hostel fees.
In the financial year 2023-24, the Assam government plans to provide scooters to 35,770 eligible students, comprising 30,203 girls who secured the first division and 5,567 boys with scores above 75% in the higher secondary examination conducted by the AHSEC in 2023. The estimated financial allocation for the scheme is Rs 25,954.29 lakh, it added.
With inputs from ANI.