Mohali: In a significant move to eliminate the possibility of forging of a certificate and its misuse, the Punjab State Board of Technical Education (PSBTE) has started issuing certificates to students with their scanned photographs on it.

The certificates printed by the board contain other than the regular information regarding the course and marks, a scanned photo of the student.

"The photographs of the students are taken during the councelling session and are kept in record to use them in certificates," said Mr Yashivir Mahajan, secretary, PSBTE. Private candidates are told to supply the board with their photos, which are scanned and printed on the certificate." "Besides students in various polytechnics, we are issuing such certificates to pharmacy and management students as well," added Mahajan.

The board takes only Rs 100 from a student for the certificate and this amount takes care of the printing and postage charges accruing to the board," said Mahajan. This fee is collected at the time of admission.

Elaborating other pioneering initiatives of the board, Mahajan said they had introduced a scholarship scheme for students from this year. Students belonging to families with income less than Rs 1 lakh per year shall be awarded a scholarship of Rs 1,000 per month for the entire duration of the course.

The number of such scholarships was 50 and these would be given out to students on merit.

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