SSC topper in PCMC schools misses Rs 1 L prize by 0.5 %

Saraswati Shahaji Jadhav, topper of Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC)-run Pimple Saudagar High School has missed the prize money of Rs1 lakh by a narrow margin.The civic body awards Rs1 lakh to a student from its school if he/she scores 90% or above in Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination. However, not a single student from the civic body-run schools in twin town has scored 90% this year. The topper from Pimpri-Chinchwad is Saraswati with 89.45%. Hence, she has to be content with scholarship of Rs50,000.This is not the first time that such a situation has arisen in PCMC schools. Last year too, there was no claimant of the prize. The intention behind offering this prize money to students is to encourage them to concentrate on studies despite the adversities.Most students of civic body-run schools come from economically weaker section of the society.Moreover, the family also forces them to help them meet ends and thus do odd jobs.PCMC education board officer Uttara Kamble said that it is unfortunate that Saraswati has lost the opportunity to win Rs1 lakh prize.“According to the rules, she will get a scholarship amount of Rs50,000. If the board decides to lower the criteria, then she will get Rs1 lakh,” he said.Municipal commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi said, “I do not know the policy framed by PCMC in this regard. The prize will be awarded as per the rules.”The talented lot88.91%Reshma Manohar Bhujbal 88.20%Jyoti Sakaram Chavan 87.45%Anamika Rajan Jagtap 73.64%PCMC Bhosari blind school boy Dnyneshwar Tukaram Gaikwad scored