Guwahati, July 1: Securing a first division in matric examination in Assam might not be enough to get a laptop from next year.

The BJP-led government in Assam is redesigning a few awards introduced by the previous Congress regime for meritorious students.

Highly placed sources said the education department is considering a proposal to give laptops to only star marks (75 per cent and above) and distinction marks (80 per cent and above) holders in matric exams.

Though a final decision has not been taken yet, education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is not in favour of giving laptops to those who barely manage to get a first division, they added. One needs to score 60 per cent aggregate marks in the matric exams to secure a first division.

"The government is also considering a proposal of giving laptops to only those who secure first division with aggregate marks of 70 per cent. Considering the present trend of scoring very high percentage of marks in the Class X final examinations under different boards in the country, the Assam government feels that giving laptops to all first division holders will be an indirect promotion of mediocrity which may not go down well with quality education in future," the source said.

The erstwhile Congress government had introduced Anundoram Borooah Award Scheme in 2005 under which laptops were given to those who scored 60 per cent and above. Over 2.1 lakh first division holders have so far been awarded since.

"When Anundoram Borooah Award was introduced, the number of first division holders was very few, a matter of concern for the government. Soon after the award was introduced, the number of first division holders went up. The government now wants to enhance the value of the award by setting a tougher criteria for the prize. Such a step will produce many high scorers (75 per cent and above) in the matric," an education department official said.

He, however, clarified that the new marks criterion for Anundoram Borooah Award would come into effect only from next year. All first division holders will get the award this year, he said.

A first division holder may have the option of choosing cash in lieu of a computer or laptop this time.

Sources said the new government at Dispur is also redesigning the Debo Kumar Bora Memorial Award, which sponsors a trip to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the US for the first three toppers of matric and the topper of high madarsa examinations.

"Only those toppers who pursue science in future will be sent to NASA. The government feels that a NASA visit for toppers who are not interested in pursuing science may not be very exciting and satisfying," the source said.

The Opposition Congress criticised the BJP-led government's proposed move, saying it would deprive many students.

PCC vice-president Ripun Bora said a good scheme was being scrapped as it was introduced by the previous Congress regime.