Commenting on the present scenario, however, Misra warned that teachers cannot behave in an irresponsible manner.

He added: “Those who are not teaching or are assisting students in the use of unfair means will be punished severely.”

Since the minister was distributing awards for the examinations that were held during the Mulayam regime, he did not loose the opportunity to question the environment under which students appeared for their examinations.

“I know most of you have worked hard to achieve this award but it also hurts me to know that people raise questions on your degree saying, ‘It might have been forged, someone else must have written their examination or the examination center incharge must have been a relative.

He added, “Such questions are continuously raised on the students of the UP board and it is for this reason we have abolished the system of self-centre.”

The felicitated students from across the state numbered 144 and both the minister and Arun Kumar Misra, the principal secretary, Secondary Education congratulated the three schools that contributed towards providing a majority of the meritorious students.

BNSD Shiksha Niketan Inter College, Kanpur had 50 students with 22 in class 10 and 28 toppers from class 12.