Assam to give scooters to meritorious students. But the move isn't welcomed by all. Here's why

The Assam government has announced that it will distribute scooters among nearly 36,000 meritorious students who have passed this year's higher secondary examinations.

A proposal for implementing the programme at a cost of Rs 258.9 crore was passed by the State cabinet on Wednesday (October 19).

The decision, however, has made the boys of Assam unhappy because a total of 35,800 students, 29,748 girls who secured first division and only 6,052 boys who secured 75% marks, will get the scooters, reported PTI.

Assam to provide scooters to 35,800 meritorious students

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What is the scheme?

• The scheme will allow the government to distribute 35,800 scooters among students. However, for girls, the percentage to be applicable for this scheme is 60% and for boys it is 75%.
• Announcing the cabinet decisions, Assam minister Jayanta Malla Baruah said that the scooter distribution ceremonial programme will be start from November 30 and the inaugural programme will be held in Kamrup (Metro) and Kamarup district.
• Total cost to be incurred is Rs 258.9 crore.

At first, the scheme was designed only for girls, but later boys were also included. However, the difference between the cut-off has raised questions about 'gender discrimination against boys'.

DailyO spoke to some boys who had objections to the scheme and they think it could have been made better in some ways.

For Sushmit, the best way to divide the scheme would have been through other bases of distinction like poverty. He also said that "instead of scooters they could have been presented with something that would have actually helped in their careers/academics". 

Many guys were asking questions like, 'where is gender equality' and claimed it to be biased for girls.  

"Larko ke saath esa hi hotah hai (This is what happens with boys)", says an Instagram user from Assam.  

Subradeep Dey, an undergraduate student from Assam, who is giving his high school examination, says "the scheme is actually good but the thing is there shouldn't be any reason for the distinction between boys and girls like when they all give exams equally then why the discrimination?"

Check out some reactions: 

Literacy in Assam:

Assam was recently announced to be among the top five states in literacy when the data was announced by the NSO. However, according to the census data of 2011,  the literacy rate of Assam is 78.81% among males and only 67.27% among females. 

To solve this issue, Assam government often launches schemes for the betterment of the education rates among girls in Assam like this one.

Do you think there should be a different cut-offs for girls and boys when in comes to educational schemes? Let us know in the comments section